Driver turns himself in following crash that killed mother, son in California, police say

FRESNO, Calif. -- A suspect is under arrest following the deadly Fresno, California crash that killed Martha and Adrian Hernandez on Monday.

Timothy Seth Chavez turned himself in late Monday night, nearly 24 hours after the crash.

Police believe he ran a red light and smashed into an SUV, sending it into the Dry Creek Canal. They say he fled.

"Turning himself in is always good," KFSN Legal Analyst Tony Capozzi said. "Running away is not a good idea unless there may be some circumstances you're trying to avoid."

Potential charges for Chavez include vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run, and driving with a suspended license and without insurance.

"He's looking at least six years, and by running away, that adds a consecutive sentence of at least five," Capozzi said.

Capozzi says Chavez's criminal record shows at least six driving infractions.

A witness told police Chavez appeared drunk at the scene.

"Running away from the accident is going to prevent anyone from investigating, requiring a breathalyzer, requiring him to take a blood test," Capozzi said. "So there's no way for the police to determine whether or not he was under the influence."

With Chavez in jail, flowers and candles now mark the crash site as the community remembers the young boy and his 41-year-old mother.

Friends on social media know the mom as Patty. She was a nail tech in Old Town Clovis.

"This was my niece's co-worker," a woman wrote on Instagram. "My niece said she always inspired her to be a great nail tech."

The mother and her son were driving home from an Easter celebration with family when they lost their lives.

The legal process is now expected to take months.

"An investigation may still be going on, and even after the charges are filed by the DA, there may be additional charges if there's additional investigation," Capozzi said.

The Fresno County District Attorney's Office has until Thursday to formally file charges.

As of Tuesday afternoon, county prosecutors are still waiting to receive the case from police.

Martha's family has set up a GoFundMe; you can find that link here.