Suspect Wanted in Fatal Hit-and-Run Turns Himself in

A man wanted in a fatal hit-and-run crash turned himself in after police asked for the public's help to find him Thursday morning.

Roberto Mateo Garcia, 54, of Santa Ana, was allegedly driving a white Ford Explorer Sport when he struck a man in the 1100 block of West Warner Avenue Wednesday night in Santa Ana and drove away, police said.

The man was pushing a shopping cart for recyclables across the street when he was fatally struck, said Anthony Bertagna, of the Santa Ana Police Department. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and has not yet been identified.

A witness called police and said Garcia was driving with his lights off and swerving between lanes before the crash. 

Officers asked for the public's help Thursday morning to find Garcia before he turned himself hours later.

Gregorio Mateo, Garcia's brother, told NBC4 that Garcia does not drink and was not aware that he hit anyone. Mateo said Garcia turned himself in the second he found out.

Anyone with information about the crash was asked to call Cpl. M. Wharton at 714-245-8290. 

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