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Atascadero fatal hit-and-run driver was under the influence of drugs

March 15, 2025

Zach Bernal

By KAREN VELIE

Atascadero police officers identified the driver arrested Friday for a hit-and-run crash that killed an 11-year-old boy as 31-year-old Zachary Bernal. He is suspected of being under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the fatal crash.

Officers arrested Bernal on charges of vehicular manslaughter,  narcotics possession, under the influence of a controlled substance, and hit-and-run resulting in death.

After locating Bernal’s truck near the crash site, officers closed off a section of southwest Atascadero as they searched for the suspect. Residents of a home on Seville Lane told officers one of the suspects was in their garage.

Officers than arrested Bernal and booked him in the San Luis Obispo County Jail where he remains in lieu of $1 million bail.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have witnessed the collision, or who has security camera footage, photographs, or other relevant evidence from the area around the time of the incident, to contact the Atascadero Police Department Detective Bureau at (805) 470-3252.

 


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He lives with a fentynal dealer who was previously on ksby most wanted wednesday. Here’s the link https://www.ksby.com/news/most-wanted-wednesday/2018/01/17/most-wanted-wednesday-crystal-lee-williams


1

I know someone else who was arrested for Dui high on drugs, he got 2 months home detention? What the hell? Get serious with these people making choices to drive high. Remember that Father of 6, several years ago? Killed while bike riding with his kids? I am sure she’s out living her life!


0

Killing a child because you want to get high and drive should be a Zero Tolerance crime! NO BAIL! WE can pay our taxes to support him in prison for life. I have grandkids this age. I am very angry how selfish people like this loser is. We need to be extra tough on Dui’s! Because this is what happens!


2

There is a female Bernal that owns a condo on Cuervo Way, which is only a few blocks from Zach hit and killed the young boy. Possibly this is his mom’s condo and he was leaving there traveling up San Diego Way and gunned it onto El Camino and lost control and went over curb onto sidewalk.


-6

high on drugs..


9

When you think about it, drug cartels wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for drug users. Plus, these guys employ all aspects of law enforcement agencies, including judges. The answer is to stop wasting tax dollars on useless incarcerations and execute them, by golly. Some countries cut off fingers just for stealing a candy bar! Fear is the best prevention. The lack of such repercussions only lead to When you think about it, drug cartels wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for drug users. Plus, these guys employ all aspects of law enforcement agencies, including judges. The answer is to stop wasting tax dollars on useless incarcerations and execute them, by golly. Some countries cut off fingers just for stealing a candy bar! Fear is the best prevention. The lack of such repercussions only lead to recidivism.


-25

If it weren’t for fingers, hands wouldn’t exist. If it weren’t for fingers, hands wouldn’t exist.


0

Here’s an old crime report from his days living in Santa Cruz: https://santacruzpolice.blogspot.com/2013/01/bike-theft-suspect-mug-shots.html?m=1


18

Good work . Yankee .


9

Skate. Destroy.


0