A man was killed and a woman was seriously injured after they were struck by a vehicle while walking home in Tulare early Thursday, and a driver has been arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and gross vehicular manslaughter, police said.

Officers with the Tulare Police Department responded just after midnight Thursday to a report of a traffic collision near Paseo Del Lago and Viognier streets.

When officers arrived, they found an adult woman suffering from significant injuries. According to police, the woman requested medical assistance and asked about the whereabouts of her companion.

A preliminary investigation determined the woman and her boyfriend were walking home when they were struck by a vehicle.

Officers searched the surrounding area and found the male victim in the backyard of a nearby residence. He had sustained critical injuries in the collision.

Emergency medical personnel provided life-saving measures before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later died, police said.

Authorities said the driver and passenger of the suspect vehicle fled the scene before officers arrived. Police established a perimeter and later located two adult men hiding behind residential trash cans. Both were taken into custody without incident.

The driver was identified by police as Abraham Payeras. He was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol and gross vehicular manslaughter.

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The identities of the victims have not been released pending notification of next of kin and because the investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Sgt. Scott of the Tulare Police Department’s Traffic Division at (559) 684-4296.

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