CARLSBAD, Calif. — The Carlsbad Police Department continues to investigate the Sept. 15 traffic collision on Carlsbad Boulevard that resulted in the death of Carlsbad resident Vanessa Wheyland.
On Sept. 23, at approximately 6:49 p.m., investigators arrested Catalina Orjuela Rivera, 23, of Carlsbad, on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact under California Penal Code 32 and making a false report of a crime to law enforcement under California Penal Code 148.5(a).
Follow-up investigation revealed that Rivera provided assistance to Fernando Saldana after the fatal traffic collision and attempted to report the involved vehicle as stolen to the Carlsbad Police Department.
Rivera was booked into the Vista Detention Facility. The investigation remains ongoing.
Arrest Made in Fatal Traffic Collision
CARLSBAD, Calif. — On Sept. 15, 2026, at approximately 7:46 p.m., the City of Carlsbad Police Department responded to the 3800 block of Carlsbad Boulevard to investigate a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
Upon arrival, officers located a pedestrian in the roadway who had sustained major injuries. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital, where they were pronounced deceased.
The involved vehicle had fled the area. Using evidence left at the scene, along with assistance from community members, Carlsbad’s automated license plate readers and air support from the San Diego Police Department and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, officers located the involved vehicle just over one mile from the collision site.
Following further investigation, the driver was located and identified as 26-year-old Fernando Saldana of Escondido. Saldana was arrested for murder, leaving the scene of a collision resulting in injury or death, DUI causing injury or death, and gross vehicular manslaughter. Saldana, who has a prior DUI conviction, was booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
The identity of the deceased will be released by the San Diego County Medical Examiner’s Office at a later date. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, though alcohol is suspected to be a contributing factor.
The Carlsbad Police Department is seeking additional witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Traffic Accident Investigator Officer Nicholas Alvarado at 442-339-5136 or Nicholas.Alvarado@carlsbadca.gov
For more information
Nicholas Alvarado, Traffic Accident Investigator, 442-339-5136 or Nicholas.Alvarado@carlsbadca.gov
