Driver faces murder charge after allegedly running over pedestrian multiple times in Fairfield
FAIRFIELD – A driver faces a murder charge after Fairfield police said he ran over a man in a parking lot multiple times and took off from the scene last week.
The incident happened around 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, November 7 when a man was walking through the Solano Town Center's northside parking lot when he was struck by another man driving a white Dodge pickup truck, police said.
This is when the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Fairfield man Vakautakava Tangitau, went on to run over the victim multiple times and drove off from the scene, according to police.
A witness was able to follow Tangitau while calling police dispatch. Police said they located Tangitau less than three miles from the scene near East Tabor Avenue and Sunset Avenue and took him into custody.
CBS13 spoke with another witness by phone Thursday evening.
"The truck was about to flee the scene, the way it was driving was as if he was driving fast then stopping then he just swings to the left and took off and it was odd to see that. That's when I noticed the body on the floor. That's when I thought, 'oh my god,' " Alba Padilla said.
Police said Tangitau was known to officers due to previous mental health calls. He was booked into the Solano County jail for murder. His criminal record also shows prior charges in 2021 and 2022 of vandalism, obstruction and resisting arrest.
"We notice this happening a lot around here. I don't know what's going on but yes it is shocking," said Padilla of the recent trend showing an alarming uptick of pedestrian crashes in Solano County.
See also: Solano County sees increase in pedestrian crashes, resulting in at least 5 deaths in month
Tangitau appeared in court on Tuesday. He was initially also facing a hate crime charge but that has since been dropped. He faces additional charges related to having a prior conviction and being a repeat offender.
Tangitau is set to be back in court on Monday for further arraignment.
The man killed was later identified as 39-year-old Steven Thomas. The motive and crime remain under investigation.
Fairfield police ask anyone with information to call (707) 428-7300.
