Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Fernandez charged in deadly hit-and-run
FAYETTEVILLE — A West Fork man pleaded not guilty Friday in Washington County Circuit Court to charges related to a fatal hit-and-run.
Tristen Eric Fernandez, 26, of 12085 Hyde Road is charged with two felonies, negligent homicide while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident involving personal injury or death, and misdemeanor driving while intoxicated.
Fernandez was given a Sept. 6 court date before Judge Mark Lindsay.
Yessi Beatriz Rauda Paredes, 24, of Fayetteville was walking along the sidewalk near the intersection of West Wedington Drive and North Gold Club Drive the afternoon of June 7 when a dark-colored Chevrolet Equinox traveling west on Wedington jumped the curb and hit her, according to a police news release. She was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police found the SUV in the shopping area at 3980 W. Wedington Drive with the passenger’s side tires flat, bent rims, damage on the front passenger side and hood and blood and makeup on the hood, according to a preliminary arrest report. The driver had fled.
Fernandez was arrested at 7:03 p.m. that evening at West Patrick Street and North Plum Tree Drive, according to the report.
During his arrest, Fernandez said he believed he hit a deer and saw “brown fur flying everywhere,” according to the report.