Scott Beckwith dies in fatal downtown Fresno car crash
Fatal downtown Fresno car crash death of Scott Beckwith
Coroner officials have officially identified the individual who died following a collision in the downtown Fresno area. The individual, Scott Beckwith, was 44 years old and a resident of Fresno.
The incident began Sunday morning around 10:30 a.m. at the intersection of Fresno and H streets. According to police, a pair of individuals was occupying a black sport utility vehicle located at P and Divisadero streets. This vehicle was struck from behind by a pickup truck.
As the occupants attempted to communicate with the driver of the pickup truck, the vehicle involved in the collision departed the scene immediately. The individuals inside the SUV reported this incident to law enforcement authorities after they had pursued the suspect vehicle. They utilized their own vehicle to track down the fleeing pickup truck.
Preliminary reports indicate the suspect truck was operating erratically within the downtown traffic flow, moving haphazardly between lanes. This maneuvering culminated in the driver, later identified as Beckwith, who was operating a Chevrolet pickup truck, losing control of his vehicle. The vehicle subsequently crossed into the opposing lane and collided with a tree.
Emergency medical services personnel confirmed the fatality at the accident site. At this time, law enforcement has not determined whether substance impairment, specifically alcohol, was a contributing factor in this incident.
Further investigation into the incident is ongoing by the Fresno Police Department. The details surrounding the initial rear-end collision and the subsequent hit-and-run continue to be examined by authorities.
