California mother of three killed in suspected DUI hit-and-run near Tamarack Beach

Vanessa Wheyland, a mother of three and CEO of an electrical contracting firm, was fatally injured during a suspected DUI hit-and-run on Tuesday night near Tamarack Beach. Witnesses said she was found on the roadway shortly before 8 p.m. after a family walk. Police traced the vehicle to Fernando Saldana, a 26-year-old Escondido resident with a previous DUI conviction, using evidence, community tips and license-plate readers.

Saldana fled the scene but was later apprehended and booked at Vista Detention Facility. Prosecutors intend to charge him with second-degree murder under California’s Watson Murder doctrine, as well as leaving the scene, DUI causing injury or death, and gross vehicular manslaughter. A memorial has been set up at the beach, and a vigil is planned for Thursday night.