Fresno County, CA — The family of 38-year-old Kenneth Owens is pleading for justice after he was tragically killed in a hit-and-run crash while driving his Go-Kart on Saturday morning near Mountain View Avenue and Peach Avenue.
The California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded to the scene, where they found Owens unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver responsible for the collision fled in a Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck, which authorities believe has noticeable front-end damage.
CHP Officer Mike Salas highlighted the severity of the incident, stating, “There’s absolutely no way in our mind that the party did not know they hit somebody or something.” The search for the suspect is ongoing, with potential felony charges for vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run awaiting the driver.
Kenneth Owens was well-known in his community for his love of Halloween and his work at Hobb’s Grove during the fall season. His sister, Rachelle Resendez, expressed the profound impact his death has had on their family and friends. She shared fond memories of their childhood, saying, “He’s actually the one who taught me how to ride a bike, taught me how to climb trees, and get into every ounce of trouble we could.”
The community has rallied around Owens’ family during this difficult time, providing support and setting up a donation page to assist with funeral expenses. The CHP is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward, reminding potential witnesses that they can remain anonymous.
On social media, reactions to the tragedy have been pouring in. Athena Calomiris speculated, "I bet the driver that took off was probably under the influence of something or had no license because a normal person would have stopped." Mary Nelson pleaded, "Please give them answers," while Elizabeth Ramos simply stated, "May He Rest In Paradise."
As the investigation continues, Owens’ family remains hopeful that justice will be served.