In an early morning hit-and-run near Rancho Cotate High School, a juvenile pedestrian was struck down by a white Mustang, according to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety. The incident, which took place at approximately 8:30 a.m. on May 3, resulted in the eventual arrest of a 22-year-old male from Cotati, confirmed by authorities.

The driver, identified as Angel Antonio Martinez, seemed to have disregarded the STOP signal at the crosswalk on Snyder Ln. Multiple eyewitnesses at the scene helped piece together the events for the police, with one even managing to snag a video of the suspect's vehicle, which led to a quick trace of the license plate. The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety, with the collaboration of Sonoma County Sheriff's Deputies, was able to rapidly locate the vehicle slightly outside Cotati, according to the Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety.

Upon making contact, the owner of the Mustang implicated her boyfriend, Martinez, as the driver during the incident. He was taken into custody without further incident and booked with charges including Felony hit and run and Felony Child Endangerment, which was compounded by a violation of his existing probation from prior reckless driving, according to authorities.

The juvenile victim, fortunately, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was promptly taken to the hospital. Accompanied by school staff, he awaited the arrival of his parents. Following the incident, Rohnert Park Public Safety took the opportunity to remind all pedestrians and scooter riders of the crucial importance of always making sure vehicles have come to a complete halt before proceeding into a crosswalk, even if the traffic lights appear to be in their favor.

Rohnert Park Public Safety urges the community to adhere to road safety measures, like wearing helmets while riding scooters, and for drivers to respect crosswalk signals.