Suspected drunk driver arrested following fatal hit-and-run, multi-car crash
PALMDALE, Calif. - A woman and a dog were struck and killed by a suspected drunk driver in the Littlerock area before the same driver went on to crash into multiple vehicles in Palmdale a short time later, critically injuring two people, police said.
The suspect was taken into custody Friday morning after he was evaluated at a local hospital following the four-vehicle crash.
The woman was walking a friend's dog westbound in the 7600 block of Pearblossom Highway about 8 p.m. Thursday when the suspect was driving westbound and steered his vehicle to the right and onto the shoulder of the road where the victim was struck, according to the California Highway Patrol.
The woman and the dog sustained fatal injuries as a result of the crash, the CHP said.
The suspect, identified as Alfredo Rodriguez, 62, of Palmdale, fled the scene and was involved in a second crash in Palmdale on Avenue S at 25th Street East, where he was taken into custody on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol, the CHP said.
Seven people were injured in the second crash and two were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Four patients, including the suspect, were hospitalized with minor injuries and one person was treated at the scene, according to Dispatch Supervisor Michael Pittman of the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Two teenagers were involved in the crash, but it was not immediately clear if they were injured, Pittman said.
Anyone who witnessed either crash was asked to call Officer Rockafellow at the CHP's Antelope Valley Area office at 661-948-8541.
FOX 11's Kelli Johnson and Gigi Graciette contributed to this report.