A fundraiser seeking donations for the young son of a Hemet city employee killed by a suspected drunken driver who plowed into the victim’s work vehicle had raised over $4,300 Wednesday, with organizers hoping to reach a goal of $50,000.
Derek Holt, 40, of Hemet was fatally injured Thursday when his Department of Public Works pickup was hit on Acacia Avenue, just west of Kirby Street.
A GoFundMe campaign was initiated by Holt’s relatives, who are seeking contributions for the support of his son, for whom the victim was the sole provider, according to organizers. There was no word regarding the child’s mother.
“Derek was a devoted single father,” according to the fundraiser. “Any help, no matter how small, will be deeply appreciated as we come together to honor his memory and support his loved ones through this unimaginable hardship.”
The account page can be found at gofundme.com/f/support-derek-holts-family.
Noah Anthony Zapata, 27, of Menifee was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence resulting in great bodily injury for allegedly causing the deadly crash. Zapata posted a $50,000 bond and was released from the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning on Saturday.
The collision happened on Acacia shortly before 8 a.m. Thursday, according to the California Highway Patrol and Hemet Police Department.
Police spokesman Alan Reyes alleged that Zapata was in a compact car going westbound and plowed straight into the truck that Holt had parked near the intersection while carrying out his duties as a water distribution inspector.
Paramedics and patrol officers arrived within a few minutes and attempted life-saving measures on the victim, but he was pronounced dead at the scene, Reyes said.
He said that patrolmen detained Zapata and held him for CHP officers, who took over the investigation because it involved a municipal vehicle.
Further investigation confirmed the suspect allegedly had been driving under the influence. He was taken into custody without incident.
Background information on Zapata was unavailable.