Driver, 83, Arrested After Pedestrian Killed in Downtown Modesto Hit-and-Run

What is known about the Modesto crash

A pedestrian was killed early Friday afternoon, October 2, near 14th and I streets in downtown Modesto. He has been identified as Jacob Moore, 35, of Modesto.

According to the Modesto Police Department, a westbound vehicle on I Street struck Moore near 14th Street, causing fatal injuries, and the driver left the scene.

Police said the department's Real Time Crime Center used city cameras and automated license plate reader technology to quickly identify and locate the vehicle. An officer stopped it using a spike strip, and the driver was taken into custody.

A Modesto Police Department spokesperson confirmed that the man arrested is Anthony Nicholas Rizzo, 83, of Modesto. He was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Center on charges including hit-and-run causing serious injury or death, DUI causing injury to another person, and possession of a controlled substance, with bail set at $100,000, according to The Modesto Bee.

Important: Booking charges are allegations. Mr. Rizzo has not been convicted of any crime, and the official investigation will determine the facts of the collision and any potential fault.

Why evidence matters after a pedestrian collision

In a serious pedestrian crash, evidence can include surveillance video, witness accounts, vehicle debris, roadway markings, phone records, and electronic data from the vehicle. A hit-and-run investigation can add urgency because identifying the vehicle and preserving camera footage may be critical.

Families may also need to investigate available insurance coverage while authorities continue their work.

Legal options after a fatal crash

When another party causes a fatal collision, surviving family members may have a wrongful-death claim. California generally provides two years to file, but preserving evidence and identifying coverage should begin well before that deadline.

Age of Jacob Moore.

KCRA and FOX40 reporting

Age of the arrested driver.

Modesto police confirmation

Source Note

Sources: FOX40 and CBS Sacramento reporting citing the Modesto Police Department, October 3, 2026. Updated October 5, 2026, with the victim's identity reported by KCRA and FOX40, and arrest and booking details reported by The Modesto Bee and confirmed by the Modesto Police Department. This article will be updated if additional verified information is released.

What Has Not Been Confirmed

The booking charges are allegations, and the current article reports no conviction or final fault determination.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a California wrongful death claim usually allow?

Most California wrongful death lawsuits generally must be filed within two years. A government claim may need to be presented within about six months when a public entity could be involved.

What evidence matters after a pedestrian collision?

Lighting, visibility, vehicle speed, traffic controls, witness accounts, roadway evidence, surveillance video, and vehicle data can all matter. Video should be requested before it is overwritten.

Does crossing outside a marked crosswalk automatically decide fault?

No. The full circumstances still matter, and California comparative fault rules can divide responsibility based on the evidence.

Can a family pursue a claim while police are still investigating?

A family can preserve evidence and investigate insurance while the police work continues. Whether a viable claim exists depends on the facts and legal responsibility.

Driver, 83, Arrested After Pedestrian Killed in Downtown Modesto Hit-and-Run