Authorities in Fresno report that a woman and her unborn child are dead after a hit-and-run crash over the weekend.
ABC 30 in Fresno reports that the crash happened just after 10:30 p.m. on Sunday, August 1st, at the intersection of Swift Avenue and Marks Avenue in central Fresno.
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According to a statement made by Fresno Police Department spokesperson Sgt. Jeff La Blue, the victim has been identified as 17-year-old Autumn Frank. Frank was seven months pregnant and was crossing Marks Avenue in an unmarked crosswalk with family members when she was struck by a vehicle.
Franks and her unborn child were rushed to Community Regional Medical Center, where both were pronounced dead.
The driver of the SUV that hit Frank had been heading northbound at a high rate of speed. According to family members who witnessed the horrifying incident, the driver never slowed down.
Approximately 25 minutes after the fatal crash, the driver of the vehicle, Kenneth Carter, 32, called police dispatch. He told authorities that he thought he ‘d struck an animal, and that’s why he didn’t stay at the scene.
Carter turned himself along with the red rental vehicle he had been driving into authorities.
“The car is confirmed to be involved in the collision,” Sgt. La Blue told ABC.
Carter has a history of previous arrests, which consist of drug and weapons charges. Fresno Police have arrested Carter and charged him with hit-and-run, causing death.
If an autopsy confirms that Franks’ baby would have been viable if it had survived the crash, Carter will be facing two counts of vehicular homicide as well as other related charges.
At this time, the partners and staff at the Simmrin Law Firm wish to extend our deepest condolences to the Frank family for their tragic loss.
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