A man who police said fled the scene of a deadly crash in Vista was arrested after a brief search Friday night.
David Palafox, 29, of Vista was driving a white pick-up truck when he took a speeding turn off Palmyra Drive onto Estrelita Drive in unincorporated Vista, California Highway Patrol Officer Mark Latulippe said.
While turning, Palafox struck a 51-year-old man who was walking near the intersection just after 8 p.m.
Palafox took off, Latulippe said.
The crash left the pedestrian dead on the scene.
CHP and San Diego County Sheriff's Department deputies searched the surrounding area for the pick-up truck.
Christian Ayala, a resident of the neighborhood, said he saw the man drive off in his truck and helped law enforcement track the vehicle to a home nearby on the 2200 block of Cherimoya.
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CHP said the vehicle was parked at the home less than a quarter-mile from the scene of the crash.
Palafox was arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges of felony DUI, felony hit-and-run and felony manslaughter.
Ayala, who lives on Estrelita Drive, said that drivers frequently speed through the neighborhood, especially at nighttime.
As someone with younger siblings, Ayala said driver behavior in the area scares him. Authorities haven't identified the victim, so Ayala is hoping that it's not someone that he knows.
Authorities told NBC 7 that the pedestrian lived nearby.
The roadway was closed for about two hours as officers investigated the collision. CHP said the investigation is ongoing and anyone who witnessed the crash should call their Oceanside division.
