A prolonged police investigation into a car-on-pedestrian collision that killed a San Luis Obispo couple and their dog last November could finally be close to a resolution.
SLO Police said that its investigation into the fatal Nov. 21 accident was “nearing completion” and to expect an update on “the charges being requested for filing on the suspect” in the coming few weeks.
SLO Police Capt. Brian Amoroso told New Times that the case involves “a very complex accident reconstruction,” which required “significant time” to properly conduct.
“The quality of this work is paramount to a successful prosecution,” Amoroso said by email. “This case is extremely important to us, which is why we are being diligent in our investigation.”
Matthew Chachere, 39, and Jennifer Besser, 36, were walking their dog near the 3400 block of Sacramento Drive at 5:47 p.m. when 24-year-old Daniel Angel Saligan Patricio allegedly lost control of his car and fatally struck them.
Officers responded to the incident but were reportedly unaware that Patricio had hit anyone. The car slammed into the abutment of a creek bridge, police said, and it was towed. Excessive speed—but not alcohol or drugs—was ruled a factor.
Authorities later found Chachere and Besser’s bodies, more than a day after the crash, under “heavy brush” near the accident site.
According to Amoroso, the police’s subsequent three-month-long investigation involved consulting the California Highway Patrol’s Major Accident Investigation Team, which has helped with “extracting technical data from the vehicle.” Investigators also relied on the Sheriff’s Office’s coroner reports, he said.
“All of these activities take time, and this is one of many active cases our agencies are working on,” Amoroso said.
When asked what exactly the police believe happened during the incident, Amoroso only noted that Patricio “did not move the victims after the collision.”
“I am [hopeful] we will have an update in the coming weeks,” he said. Δ
This article appears in Weddings 2023.
