Fayetteville Police: Victim Identified, Suspect Arrested In Deadly Hit And Run Accident

Stout said the driver, later identified as Tristen Fernandez, 26, of West Fork, was driving westbound on Wedington Drive when he struck the curb and hit a female walking on the sidewalk. Fernandez then took off on foot.

The accident happened near the Links Apartments near Golf Club Drive at about 4:38 p.m.

When police arrived on the scene, they found Yessi Beatriz Rauda Paredes, 24, of Fayetteville in a ditch. She was pronounced dead on scene.

Shortly afterward police found Fernandez near the area of W. Patrick Street and N. Plum Tree Drive, the release states. He told police that he believed he had hit a deer.

Fernandez was found to be intoxicated after taking a drug recognition evaluation, according to a preliminary report. He was arrested and taken to the Washington County Detention Center.

He is facing charges of leaving the scene of a deadly accident.

A GoFundMe account was set up to raise money for Paredes' funeral expenses. Her family is hoping to raise enough money to send her body back to El Salvador for the funeral.