This afternoon at about 2pm, Fairfield Police and Fire responded to a collision reported in the 1400 block of W Texas Street. Responding personnel arrived and found that a vehicle had struck a 2-year-old boy. The young boy was transported to a local hospital, but sadly did not survive his injuries.
The driver fled moments after the collision, abandoning his vehicle at the scene. We have taken the vehicle as evidence to assist in the investigation. Based on witness statements and evidence at the collision we do believe alcohol impairment is a factor. Video surveillance was recovered showing the description of the suspect and what direction he fled. While the investigation was still unfolding, but with ample evidence to indicate a crime had occurred, we solicited assistance from the public to locate the suspect. Thank you for everyone’s assistance.
Investigators continued to work through this painful incident and continued to process the scene while pursuing leads as they developed. Four hours later at 6pm, the suspect returned to the scene and was taken into custody. While we will not be identifying the victim, we have learned the suspect and victim are related with the suspecting being the victim’s uncle.
Upon the completion of evidence collection and an interview, Cirilo Martinez Tellez (32) of Fairfield will be booked into the Solano County Jail under an arrest warrant obtained for vehicular manslaughter and felony hit-and-run causing death. Investigators will continue dedicating their efforts to learn as much as possible about what happened. We will present a case to the Solano County District Attorney for review to consider additional charges of murder, felony driving under the influence causing death, and violating probation.
Anytime a child is involved, and tragically dies, the investigation negatively impacts all involved. Our thoughts are with the family of the 2-year-old boy. This is a painful example in the tragic outcome surrounding driving while intoxicated and failing to recognize pedestrians in and around the roadway. Don’t drink or use altering substances and drive. Pay attention to your surroundings. In recognizing the existence of a pedestrian, you may prevent a collision from happening in the first place.
