FRESNO - Homicide detectives are investigating the death of 63 year old Fernando Santoya of Fresno. He was involved in an altercation on December 18th and passed away at the hospital later in the day. Santoya was a United States Postal Service (USPS) employee who worked as a rural route mail carrier.

At 12:00 pm on Tuesday, Santoya arrived to a home on the 700 block of S. Polk Ave. in Fresno to deliver mail. A group of men, hired to perform some work, were at the home during this time. One of the workers had parked his vehicle in front of the mailbox, so he moved it once the mail carrier arrived.

Witnesses told detectives Santoya got into an argument with the work crew, which escalated into Santoya trying to punch one of the men. In an effort to defend himself, the man punched back, striking Santoya once in his face. Sontaya stumbled and then collapsed. The workers noticed he was no longer breathing, so one of them began CPR on Santoya while another worker placed a 911 call. Deputies and EMS personnel arrived and arranged for Santoya to be transported to the hospital. Tuesday night, Santoya passed away.

Detectives interviewed all witnesses at the scene and they were cooperative. No arrests were made.

On Thursday, Coroner’s Office staff performed an autopsy on Fernando Santoya. A cause of death is pending the results of toxicology tests.
Anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (559) 600-3111, Detective Gary Haslam at (559) 600-8209, Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867 or www.valleycrimestoppers.org You will remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward.