Johnny Raygoza Killed in Clovis Hit-and-Run Accident
The driver was arrested on felony DUI and hit-and-run charges after fleeing the scene near Clovis Avenue
Johnny Raygoza, 41, of Fresno, was killed in a hit-and-run crash near Barstow and Clovis avenues on Thursday, according to the Clovis Police Department.
Francis Portillo, 45, was arrested a short distance from the scene and booked into the Fresno County Jail. She faces allegations of felony DUI, felony hit-and-run, evading officers and possession of a controlled substance.
The driver initially stopped after striking the man around 10 p.m. but then fled the area, investigators said.
The victim, later identified as Raygoza, was taken to a hospital in critical condition and died from his injuries on Sunday, the coroner's office reported.
This marks the second fatal traffic collision in the city this year. The crash remains under investigation.
The sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run leaves families grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions. While the criminal justice system pursues charges against the arrested driver, parallel civil investigations often begin immediately to protect the victim's family.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Hit-and-run investigations often begin with little to work from, because the driver responsible for a collision has already fled the scene. Reconstructing what happened requires pulling together physical evidence, surveillance records, and witness accounts before conditions change."
"A legal team can drive that process forward, coordinating specialists and ensuring nothing critical gets overlooked," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
How do criminal charges impact the Clovis hit-and-run investigation?
When a driver faces felony DUI and hit-and-run charges, the criminal proceedings establish a foundation of accountability. However, families of victims often pursue separate civil actions to address the financial and emotional toll of the loss.
What are the trends for fatal hit-and-runs in California?
California consistently records high numbers of these incidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the state saw 490 hit-and-run death in 2022, the highest total of any U.S. state that year. Nationwide data shows 2,854 death resulted from hit-and-run crashes during the same period.
California wrongful death statute
Under Cal. Code Civ. Proc. § 377.60, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. California applies pure comparative fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of companionship, funeral expenses, and the decedent's pre-death pain and suffering.
According to Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal, "Hit-and-run drivers are subject to criminal charges following an accident or collision that injures anyone on the road. Separate from criminal charges, victims of hit-and-run injury accidents may be entitled to a civil lawsuit."