A hit-and-run incident has left a 33-year-old pedestrian critically injured in Santa Rosa, with the driver recently placed under arrest, according to officials. The Santa Rosa Police Department informed the public that on Thursday, a collision occurred involving a pedestrian and a vehicle on Hearn Avenue near the SMART tracks. It was around 9:42 pm when a 911 call came through from a witness stating that the driver of the vehicle had fled the scene after the collision.
A report released by the Santa Rosa Police Department identified the victim as an adult male suffering severe head trauma and currently in critical condition at an area hospital. The victim’s identity is being withheld until his family is notified. Arriving at the scene, SRPD officers, alongside fire and medical teams, found the man unconscious near the railroad tracks after being struck by the vehicle. Despite the urgency of his severe injuries, investigators diligently pursued evidence, which included an exterior security camera footage from a residence in the 800 block of Hearn Avenue.
The video footage demonstrated the gruesome event with a white Lexus sedan hitting the victim as he attempted to cross Hearn Avenue. The vehicle briefly stopped, but no one came out and after about one and a half minutes, the car continued west on Hearn Avenue. SRPD Accident Investigators tapped into the Flock Safety camera technology at the intersection of Hearn and Corby Avenue to gather further evidence. As the accident caused significant injuries and law enforcement faced a lack of evidence initially, the safety camera footage proved crucial in identifying the 2014 Lexus IS250, which included the vehicle's license plate.
Following the lead, Accident Investigators found the address of the registered owner on the 1900 block of Blue Sky Lane. The residents confirmed that Alejandra Vasquez, 19, from Santa Rosa, claimed involvement in a collision with the matching vehicle parked in their garage. After concluding evidence from the investigation and damage to the vehicle, investigators determined Vasquez was the driver when struck was the victim. "Investigators do not believe Vasquez was under the influence of alcohol or drugs at the time of the collision", assured the SRPD's report. Vasquez now faces charges for felony hit-and-run causing serious injury and has been booked into Sonoma County Jail.
Accident Investigator Brenden Sawyer continues to lead this ongoing investigation. The Santa Rosa Police Department urges anyone with additional information to contact him at 707-543-3600 ext. 8593 or at [email protected]. The department is case number 24-9216 on the matter. For media inquiries, contact Sgt. Patricia Seffens at 707-543-3634 or [email protected].
