Des Moines man killed after being struck by marked vehicle

DES MOINES, Iowa — A Des Moines man who was killed after being struck by a vehicle over the weekend has been identified.

At approximately 11:39 a.m. Sunday, the Des Moines Police Department responded to a report of a vehicle that had crashed into a tree and struck a pedestrian in the 5400 block of SE 5th Street. Police say the pedestrian, now identified as Jose Manuel Clark, 51, of Des Moines, died from his injuries at the scene.

Hours later, Des Moines police announced they had arrested the driver of the truck involved in the crash, 23-year-old Andi Gael Cardenas. Police said evidence collected indicated that prior to the crash on SE 5th Street, Cardenas had been involved in a hit-and-run in the 1000 block of SE Army Post Road. Cardenas did not stop and continued driving, turning north onto SE 5th Street. Cardenas then allegedly ran a red light and struck a vehicle that had the right of way. This accident caused Cardenas to lose control of the vehicle and leave the roadway, striking two trees before hitting Clark who was walking on the sidewalk.

Cardenas was booked into the Polk County Jail and charged with Motor Vehicle Homicide – Reckless Driving, Leaving the Scene of an Accident and several simple traffic offenses.