Modesto police ID driver arrested in fatal hit and run

The driver arrested early Sunday in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Modesto was identified Monday by police as 31-year-old Luis Ortega of Modesto. The motorist killed in the collision also was identified, as 19-year-old Nenar Zaia of Modesto.

At about 1:59 a.m. Sunday, officers responded to a hit-and-run crash at El Vista and Haddon avenues. Ortega was apprehended a couple of blocks away from the scene after a resident saw him limping down Miller Avenue, police spokeswoman Heather Graves said in a news release.

Ortega was driving his 1993 Toyota Camry eastbound on Haddon, approaching El Vista at high speed, investigators say. Zaia was driving his 1991 Subaru Legacy northbound on El Vista. Ortega failed to stop at a stop sign and struck Zaia. Both cars spun and came to rest on Haddon.

Ortega was determined to be under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol and was booked into the Stanislaus County Jail on suspicion of murder, vehicular manslaughter, felony driving under the influence, felony hit and run and driving on a suspended license.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information on it is asked to contact Officer Jeff Hopkins at (209) 652-3165.

Callers to Crime Stoppers at (209) 521-4636 can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward. Tipsters may also text information to Crime Stoppers at 274637. Just type “TIP704” along with your message.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 5:15 PM with the headline "Modesto police ID driver arrested in fatal hit and run."