A fragment of a bumper might lead to hit-and-run driver in fatal Ripon accident

The family of the man struck and killed by a vehicle on Highway 99 in April is hoping a new clue will lead to the arrest of the driver.

Rohid Popal, a 20-year-old from Tracy, was killed in the last of a series of accidents on southbound Highway 99 near Main Street around 4:30 a.m., on April 22. The California Highway Patrol said he was walking from his own damaged car on the shoulder when he was struck by another car that, at the time, was described only as gray. The driver left the scene.

The CHP said Tuesday it narrowed the description of the suspected vehicle that killed Popal thanks to analysis of plastic material found at the scene. It is believed to have come from the front bumper of a charcoal-colored Dodge Caravan or Grand Caravan, model year 2010 to 2013.

Humayan Popal, the victim’s brother, said he hopes the new information will lead to an arrest. The family said Rohid spent his last moments trying to help other people in the crashes, which caused moderate injuries to two women.

“We lost a caring, warm-hearted, giving young man,” says a GoFundMe page that will help with family expenses. “Just days away from his 21st birthday, Rohid was killed in a hit-and-run while he was checking on the well-being of another.”

Humayan Popal shared another example of his brother’s spirit, from a sightseeing trip to San Francisco in March. They ordered soup and sandwiches at the Boudin cafe at Fisherman’s Wharf, but Rohid did not eat his.

“He told me about an old handicapped and hungry man begging outside in the cold S.F. weather,” Humayan said. “My brother gave him the food he ordered. This was my little brother.”

This story was originally published June 14, 2017 at 6:20 PM with the headline "A fragment of a bumper might lead to hit-and-run driver in fatal Ripon accident."