Novato Man Turns Self In Following Fatal San Rafael Hit-And-Run: Police [UPDATED]

SAN RAFAEL, CA — Witnesses are sought in a collision Thursday night in San Rafael that left a pedestrian dead and a Novato man behind bars. The fatal crash occurred about 11:15 p.m. on Second Street between the intersection with Tamalpais Avenue and Hetherton Street, near the Transit Center, according to the San Rafael Police Department.

Responding officers found a man in the roadway with fatal injuries, according to San Rafael police Lt. Jim Correa, and developed information from a witness that the victim had been struck by a vehicle that left that the scene.

Friday afternoon, the Coroner Division of the Marin County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Melvin Andre Pete, 40, of San Rafael. Pete was pronounced dead at 11:24 p.m. after suffering "visible traumatic injuries" when he was struck by an oncoming vehicle headed eastbound on Second Street, according to the Coroner Division.

According to Correa, 24-year-old Antonio Gongora, of Novato, turned himself in about 12:30 a.m. Friday at Marin County Jail, stating he had been the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision.

"He said he left the scene and drove to Novato because he wanted to tell his family what had occurred," Correa said.

Gongora was booked into jail on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and DUI. Records show he was being held in lieu of $50,000 bail Friday.

"The SRPD is seeking any witnesses to the collision," Correa said. "Anyone with information is asked to call the San Rafael Police Department at 415-485-3000."

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