Driver arrested after hitting, killing pedestrian in Fairfield

FAIRFIELD, Calif. -- A driver who struck and killed a pedestrian in Fairfield early Wednesday morning was arrested on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence of a controlled substance, police said.

The driver was identified as 31-year-old Fairfield resident Nathan Vargas. Police said he was driving the wrong way and partially on the sidewalk on East Travis Boulevard when he hit the pedestrian in a crosswalk at San Bruno Street and then struck a power pole at 5:20 a.m.

The pedestrian, a 44-year-old Fairfield man, died at the scene. His name has not yet been released pending notification of his family.

Vargas stopped after the collision and when police arrived, they detained and arrested him. He was booked into Solano County Jail, police said.

East Travis Boulevard between Dover Avenue and Eisenhower Street was closed for several hours as police investigated the collision and PG&E made repairs to the power pole. The road reopened by 1:30 p.m., police said.