FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A Fresno Pacific University student has been arrested five days after a deadly hit-and-run in southeast Fresno last week.
According to the Fresno Police Department, 23-year-old Miguel Angel Ortiz-Montilla was arrested Tuesday afternoon on the campus of Fresno Pacific University, at 1717 S Chestnut Avenue. Fresno Pacific has confirmed that Miguel Ortiz is a current student at the university. He is also listed as playing for the college’s baseball team.
The incident was originally reported on April 4, when officers say they were called to the intersection of Chestnut Avenue and Clinton Avenue where they found a man in the roadway. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The man was later identified as 38-year-old Bryant Fields of Fresno. According to a GoFundMe page, Bryant Fields left behind his mother, sister, brother and children.
Investigators found video evidence of the scene, which they say showed that Miguel Ortiz-Montilla ran over Bryant Fields, made a U-turn, and then drove back past the collision scene before driving away. Detectives were also able to identify the vehicle involved and released a picture of the suspect’s sedan a day after the incident.
Miguel Ortiz-Montilla was arrested on Tuesday afternoon and booked into the Fresno County Jail on suspicion of hit-and-run involving death.
In a statement, Fresno Pacific University officials say they are aware of the investigation and cooperating with the Fresno Police Department.
Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with all involved in this tragic incident. Due to the nature of this being an active investigation, we are unable to share any additional information.
Fresno Pacific University
Although an arrest has been made, Fresno Police still ask anyone who witnessed the collision to contact Detective Jason Ciavaglia at (559) 621-5066 or Detective Christopher Wyant at (559)
621-5052.