3 Arrested In Hit-And-Run That Killed Man Walking His Dog In Woodland

WOODLAND (CBS13) — Three people have been arrested in a hit-and-run crash that killed a man walking his dog in November.

Police said they knew they were looking for a truck, but couldn't make the case in the hit-and-run along Mariposa Street and Utah Avenue.

Family and friends say Richard Tafoya's routine was to walk his dog before going to work at 6 a.m., and that's what he was doing when he died on Nov. 12 at around 3 a.m.

Employees at the Woodland O'Reilly Auto Parts remember their coworker as a loyal friend, especially to his rescue dog, Heidi.

"On his days off, he'd come by and the dog would be with him off the leash. Very nice dog," said Kevin Bagaoisan.

"He loved his dog. Every Sunday he'd come in to get his schedule and always had the dog," said Jesus Tzuc.

Woodland Police had a homeowner's surveillance video of the dark truck they say struck Tafoya, but they weren't able to make an arrest until an anonymous tip gave them a lead.

"Without the help of the community reporting what they see to us, sometimes we won't catch those things," Sgt. Brett Hancock said.

Raymond Contreras, 34 was arrested and is believed to be the driver of the Dodge truck that belongs to his passenger, 23-year-old Norma Gentry. Also arrested was 50-year-old Robert Sanchez, who is in trouble for hiding evidence.

"He's being charged with making a false insurance claim, false report, trying to hide the evidence," he said.

Norma Gentry also faces the same charges.

Police say Sanchez brought the truck to an auto body shop trying to erase the evidence.

Family members declined to comment on the arrests, but Tafoya's coworkers say they're relieved there's been an arrest.

Gentry and Sanchez were arrested on Monday morning, while Contreras turned himself into police on Tuesday.