Update: Driver arrested after hitting parked car in south Modesto, killing man in it

UPDATE: The name of the suspect is Daniel Valdovinos, according to court records. Modesto police initially reported the suspect’s name as Daniel Valdovinos Zaragoza. A Police Department spokeswoman said that was the name he gave officers. Valdovinos is being held in custody on $250,000 bail.

A driver who crashed into a parked car in south Modesto on Sunday morning, killing one of two men inside it, faces charges of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, hit-and-run and other charges, according to police.

A 52-year-old man died in the crash, and the other occupant of the parked car was taken to a hospital after complaining of pain.

The crash was reported about 5:30 a.m. and occurred about 200 yards west of Ustick Road on West Hatch, said police Lt. Felton Payne.

Upon arrival, officers located one of the involved parties unresponsive, while another had fled the scene but was subsequently found in the area.

Through the investigation, it was determined that 37-year-old Daniel Valdovinos of Modesto was traveling west on West Hatch Road, alone in a Chevrolet Traverse. He struck a Toyota Prius parked along the north curb line of Hatch Road.

When located, Valdovinos was arrested and booked on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, DUI with injuries, hit-and-run and driving while unlicensed.

Payne noted there is a homeless camp near the crash site, along the Tuolumne River. A Modesto Fire Department incident summary referred to the men in the parked car as homeless, but that’s not been confirmed.

The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Office said the 52-year-old’s his last known address was in Ceres, as of 2022. The office did not release the man’s name because it had not yet notified his family.

Any witnesses to the crash are asked to contact Traffic Safety Officer Brad Beavers at BeaversB@modestopd.com .