Pedestrian dies after Wenatchee Avenue accident

4 free views left!

By Dee Riggs
World staff writer

Monday, September 21, 2009

WENATCHEE — A speeding pickup struck and killed a man crossing north Wenatchee Avenue early Sunday morning, its driver not stopping to help the man.

Police later arrested a 34-year-old Waterville man on suspicion of vehicular homicide. The man struck by the pickup died at Central Washington Hospital. The driver of the pickup was arrested several hours later.

Sgt. Cherie Smith said Arnulfo Garcia Maldonado, 47, was struck about 1 a.m. Sunday as he crossed North Wenatchee Avenue in the 1500 block. There was no crosswalk or traffic light at that location.

A witness told police that the pickup was speeding.

"When he was hit, he flew into the air, came down on the hood of the truck, then fell onto the roadway," Smith said.

The pickup truck, which was traveling north on the Avenue, then accelerated and left the scene, Smith said.

The truck was found abandoned about 4:45 a.m. near the Cedars Inn, 80 Ninth St. N.E., in East Wenatchee. Damage done to the truck was consistent with an accident. Parts of the truck found at the scene matched those that would have been on the truck.

After tracing the registered owner, police began searching for him, Smith said. He was located about 11 p.m. Sunday, sitting outside the Wenatchee Roaster & Ale House, 201 N. Wenatchee Ave.

He was booked into the Chelan County Regional Justice Center on suspicion of vehicular homicide. Smith said an additional charge of felony hit and run is pending.

Garcia was taken to Central Washington Hospital where he died about 3 a.m., Smith said.

It was not known why he was walking in that area but he lived in the 1200 block of Central Street.

Dee Riggs: 664-7147

deeriggs@wenatcheeworld.com

» Recommend this story.

Want to comment on this story? All Wenatchee World members are invited to comment on stories, by using the form below. Please know that we at wenatcheeworld.com hope our site is useful, entertaining and civil. So we'll delete comments that are obscene, abusive or way off topic. We appreciate it when readers use the "suggest removal" button to flag inappropriate comments. For more about interacting with the site, see our Use Policy.

brenda22 2 years, 4 months ago

I knew this man, may he rest in peace and yes I agree with you tapsterr...

NCWdan 2 years, 4 months ago

The driving in this town has slowly gotten worse every year for the last 5-6 years or more. Is it because our population keeps growing or is it because there are more jerks on the road?

Anayelit2 2 years, 4 months ago

The man that got ran over didn't diserve to die, he was such a great man. He left three kids, that are not even teens, his wife barely had a kid. And he was such a humble and noble human being. He would greet you when ever he saw you. And wouldn't harm anyone. This man was my uncle. I am not mad at the person that did this, because he will have this in his conscious for speeding off and driving off like that. He could of had a chance, and he took that chance away. Te quiero mucho tio Y te voy a extranar tanto.....

Wenatchee1234 2 years, 4 months ago

No story about the Drunk Driving Crash near Lake Wenatchee that ejected and killed one man and injured a Female. Happened around 5pm I think and they were from Monroe, WA.

brenda22 2 years, 4 months ago

first of all you don’t you dare put the blame of him, his death, and second of all he was just crossing the street, which this stupid guy had to be speeding and not even help this poor man after he ran over him ! WHAT KINDA OF HUMAN BEING WOULD DO THAT. ! That’s not right at all he needs a harsh punishment !!!

alfamanny 2 years, 4 months ago

My sincere condolence to the Garcia’s family.

deeriggs 2 years, 4 months ago

As a reporter at The Wenatchee World, I am very interested in finding out about the man who was killed. If any of you can point me toward a contact person, I would very much appreciate it. I can be reached at deeriggs@wenatcheeworld.com or at 664-7147 Thank you, Dee Riggs

SumGuy 2 years, 4 months ago

Have they identified the driver of the vehicle? I have not seen a follow up article. Our thoughts are with Mr. Garcia's family.

JRsDaisy 2 years, 4 months ago

I am so sorry for your loss. I have been told by my apt. manager that this was our neighbor and friend. I need to know for sure before I tell my husband. Is there any way you could help me verify/clear this up?

shaeli 2 years, 3 months ago

I miss you uncle arnulfo!!!!!!! I talked to my uncle arnulfo days before this took place!!!!! I just found out about it today! One of my uncles was trying to reach me and my sister cousins gave me the news! I was very sad that I never got to meet my uncle but always talked to him on the phone, he was one of the few who called every other week to see how I was doing Im going to miss that very much.........I've never ever met any of my dads family but uncle arnulfo was always there on the other side of the telephone always inviting me over to meet his family and the rest of mine as well....... I will miss him dearly and will never forget him.....I wish I would have met him but I felt like I did he remembered me since I was a baby and loved me and my brother very much. May you rest in peace uncle and suffer no more LOVE YOU.