Vista CA— Friday night, March 9, 2018 at approximately 8:14 PM a 29-year-old male, identified as Mr. David Palafox, from Vista, was driving his white GMC Sierra truck eastbound on Palmyra Drive, approaching Estrelita Drive at a high rate of speed. A 51-year-old male pedestrian, also from Vista, was walking across Estrelita Drive near the intersection. Mr. Palafox turned right onto Estrelita Drive and struck the pedestrian. The pedestrian was pronounced dead at the scene. Mr. Palafox did not stop, and fled the scene.

California Highway Patrol officers and San Diego County Sheriff’s deputies searched the surrounding area for the involved vehicle. A short time after the collision, law enforcement personnel located the vehicle parked at a residence less than a quarter mile from the collision scene. Mr. Palafox was located, identified as the driver of the vehicle during the collision, and taken into custody.
Mr. Palafox was determined to be driving under the influence at the time of the collision, was arrested and booked into Vista Detention Facility for felony DUI charges, felony hit and run charges, and felony manslaughter charges.
Roadway access near the collision was affected during the on-scene investigation from the time of the collision until approximately 10:30 PM. This incident remains under investigation. Should a member of the public have witnessed this collision or have additional information regarding this collision please contact the Oceanside Area CHP office.