William Allen Spears Jr. identified in fatal Rosemont hit-and-run crash

William Allen Spears Jr. was killed in a Rosemont collision, California Highway Patrol investigators confirmed Monday. The finding follows a coroner report that reversed early official doubts about what caused the death.

Officers found the dead body Thursday night on Folsom Boulevard and La Quinta Avenue. They responded to reports of a person in the roadway in east Sacramento County. CHP has not identified the driver or their vehicle.

Investigators initially stated there were no signs of a hit-and-run incident. A spokesperson explained the early doubts on Friday.

“Units did take measurements as if it may have been a hit-and-run, but it will not be investigated as such unless the coroner’s findings say otherwise,” a CHP spokesperson said Friday. “Even the coroner had their doubts [the] night that the deceased was hit by a vehicle.”

On Monday afternoon, CHP announced that the deceased Sacramento resident died from a vehicle collision. A spokesperson told reporters the conclusion changed due to the coroner report.

Spears, 48, was in the roadway outside of a marked crosswalk, according to CHP. An unknown car struck and killed him west of Norcade Circle on Folsom Boulevard.

The motorist failed to stop. The driver did not help Spears and did not call law enforcement. The driver drove away instead.

The California Highway Patrol investigates fatal traffic collisions on roadways in unincorporated county sectors. Coroners examine deceased victims to determine the exact cause of death for law enforcement cases.

Officers continue to investigate the Rosemont collision. CHP asks witnesses to contact the East Sacramento office or email [email protected].