Donald Burkes, 68, Identified After Fatal Pedestrian Collision in Fresno

Donald Burkes, 68, of Fresno, was struck and killed by a vehicle near First Street and Ashlan Avenue after police were called just before 1 p.m. Tuesday. Authorities identified the victim in a brief statement: "A pedestrian struck by a vehicle near First Street and Ashlan Avenue in Fresno has been identified by authorities as 68-year-old Donald Burkes of Fresno."

The collision occurred on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, and resulted in fatal injuries, local authorities said. "Police were called out to Ashlan Avenue near First Street just before 1 pm Tuesday," and "Authorities have not released any information about what led to the crash, but we do know that the pedestrian did not survive." Officers closed the scene and directed traffic while investigators worked.

Fresno Police responded to the crash and are leading the investigation. At this point officials have not released a description of the vehicle involved, whether the driver remained at the scene, or whether any citations or charges have been filed. Investigators have not provided a coroner's statement in the available release to confirm the exact time or place of death beyond the collision location and the identification of Burkes.

Drivers were advised to avoid the First Street and Ashlan Avenue area while investigators processed the scene. "Drivers should avoid the area as the investigation continues," authorities said, as officers from Fresno Police's traffic or patrol units examined the roadway and gathered evidence just west of central Fresno's commercial corridor.

This incident follows other recent pedestrian fatalities in the county, though it is separate from an October case in which the Fresno County Coroner’s Office identified a different 68-year-old man, Albert Holguin of Selma, as the victim of an Oct. 21 collision near Community Regional Medical Center. In that Oct. 21 incident, authorities reported a white van turning from Maddy Drive onto Divisadero struck a pedestrian who was crossing north to south; nurses rendered aid and the victim was taken to a hospital and later died, and the driver remained at the scene.

Fresno Police and the Fresno County Coroner had not released further details about the March 3 collision as of Wednesday, March 4, 2026, and the investigation remains active. Officials have not yet provided information on contributing factors such as impairment, speed, or road conditions, and they have not named any witnesses publicly; further updates are expected as the Traffic Collision Unit and the coroner complete their inquiries.