VISALIA -- A 71-year-old Visalia man was killed early Saturday morning when the car he was driving crashed into a tow truck removing a vehicle from the scene of a hit-and-run crash.

Visalia police responded to a report of a vehicle hitting a power pole on Dinuba Avenue north of Riggin shortly after 4 a.m., and a 1995 Suzuiki Swift was found on location and the driver had fled the scene. Police called for a tow to remove the Suzuki. As the tow truck, a 2001 Freightliner, was loading the Suzuki, a 2005 Toyota Scion heading south on Dinuba crashed into the Freightliner.

Driver Robert Lee Hitchcock was pronounced dead at the scene, while passenger Margaret Hitchcock, 72, of Visalia was transported to Kaweath Delta District hospital for moderate injuries. The tow driver, Vincent Mangolia, 31, of Visalia was not injured.

The investigation continues through the VPD's Traffic Unit.

(Aug. 6, 2007)