Police say hit and run accidents are on the rise in the Valley. Within the last three days there have been three major hit and run accidents killing at least one person and sending others to the hospital. In all three accidents the driver fled the scene.
Police say they're seeing more and more drivers involved in accidents taking off
without helping others involved.
Fernando Buenrostro Sr. is mourning the death of his son after he was run over and dragged around 200 feet Saturday night in Los Banos. During another accident Saturday night in Selma, the driver of that vehicle dragged a 6-yr-old-boy.
"It's just scary that somebody can do something like that to a little boy and just leave," said a woman living next to the location where the boy was hit.
The third accident happened Monday night in Fresno. The driver hit another car head on sending four people to the hospital. Police say these types of accidents in Fresno are on the rise.
"Last year during 2012, one out of every three collisions involved a hit and run driver," said Sergeant Anthony DeWall with the Fresno Police Department.
So why don't these drivers stick around? Sgt. DeWall said most people are worried about what kind of punishment they'll receive. If the driver involved is properly licensed and stays at the scene, they may not even recieve a citation. It's when the driver decides to leave that things become more severe.
CBS47'S legal analyst, Carl Faller says sometimes people flee because of panic or emotional overload.
"They take the flight response when the responsibility is to do the exact opposite," said Faller.
Police are still looking for the hit and run drivers involved in the three accdients. They say if you witness a hit and run accident, it's best to get the description of the vehicle and driver, write down the license plate number and call 911.
Police say they're seeing more and more drivers involved in accidents taking off
without helping others involved.
Fernando Buenrostro Sr. is mourning the death of his son after he was run over and dragged around 200 feet Saturday night in Los Banos. During another accident Saturday night in Selma, the driver of that vehicle dragged a 6-yr-old-boy.
"It's just scary that somebody can do something like that to a little boy and just leave," said a woman living next to the location where the boy was hit.
The third accident happened Monday night in Fresno. The driver hit another car head on sending four people to the hospital. Police say these types of accidents in Fresno are on the rise.
"Last year during 2012, one out of every three collisions involved a hit and run driver," said Sergeant Anthony DeWall with the Fresno Police Department.
So why don't these drivers stick around? Sgt. DeWall said most people are worried about what kind of punishment they'll receive. If the driver involved is properly licensed and stays at the scene, they may not even recieve a citation. It's when the driver decides to leave that things become more severe.
CBS47'S legal analyst, Carl Faller says sometimes people flee because of panic or emotional overload.
"They take the flight response when the responsibility is to do the exact opposite," said Faller.
Police are still looking for the hit and run drivers involved in the three accdients. They say if you witness a hit and run accident, it's best to get the description of the vehicle and driver, write down the license plate number and call 911.