Fatal Fresno crash suspect high on meth and driving stolen car, cops say

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A Kingsburg woman is recovering from surgery after police say she crashed and killed a 26-year-old man and injured several others.

Shards of glass, strewn about the intersection. It's all that's left of a crash that killed 26-year-old Matthew Harkenrider of Clovis. The alleged suspect of the crash, 45-year-old Roberta Soto of Kinsgburg, is accused of being high on meth when she smashed into Harkenrider's car.

"They had to un-clutch one of her fists when they were trying to treat her and they found a bundle of methamphetamine in her hand," said Sergeant Richard Tucker of the Fresno Police Department.

Police say Soto flew through the intersection, hit Harkenrider's car and sent him flying into three other vehicles. Six other people were transported to local hospitals for minor injuries and Harkenrider was found dead on the scene.

"It was a big collision to look at and it was tragic for all of us," said Tucker.

Soto is in the hospital tonight recovering from surgery. She's receiving treatment at the same place where Harkenrider was once a radiology technician and beloved by his many coworkers.

"It was difficult for us to be out there. But she's in custody now so she won't harm anyone else," said Tucker.

Once Soto is healthy, she'll go straight to the Fresno County Jail. Investigators won't immediately get toxicology results but Soto is facing a felony DUI charge and vehicular manslaughter.