Search underway for driver who hit and killed a retired firefighter in Tulare

TULARE, Calif. (KFSN) -- A family is asking for answers after their 83-year-old loved one was struck and killed by a car in Tulare, the driver still on the loose.

Joe Raney was struck and killed just two days before his 84th birthday. Raney, a retired Tulare fireman of 30 years, his family left devastated.

"Whoever did this, to me, they're a murderer because they left him out there to die," says Mark Raney, Victim's Son.

Joe's family says he suffered from dementia. Early Wednesday morning he wandered outside his house only to be struck just down the street. His body left lying in the second lane of Bardsley Avenue east of Cardoza Drive.

"That night, he kept saying he wanted to go home. He's been saying he wanted to go home for a few months now, she kept saying well you are home so get back in bed. He said okay. It wasn't a very long he got back up," says Raney.

Mark says the alarm system they had installed in the house had been silenced that evening, so they didn't know Joe had left. The guilt they feel, now adding to their grief.

"As it progresses, do everything you can to prevent them from getting out, we should've done more," says Raney.

Joe, beloved in the community. Action News interviewed him when he was the chairman of World Ag Expo back in 2013. He was a graduate from Tulare Union and went on to teach fire science at the College of The Sequoias. Even meeting Former President George Bush during a visit to Tulare. He loved the dodgers, and leaves behind a big family, including 7 grand children and 9 great grand children.

"People came first before him and he loved his job," says Raney.

The driver that killed Raney remains on the run.

"We are canvassing the video of the area for any possible video surveillance from neighboring businesses as well as residents in the area," says Sgt. Rosa Moreno, Tulare Police Department.

Tulare Police are now asking for the public's help.

"Based on the collision, we are looking for a vehicle that possibly has front end damage to the front of the vehicle," says Sgt. Moreno.

The family has this message for the wanted driver.

"They should've stopped and suffered the consequences then, because now it's just going to be harder on them, and we're not going to let them go easy. We're going to fight," says Raney.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the Tulare Police Department.

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