On Sunday, life turned life-threatening for a 71-year-old man in La Jolla when a driver allegedly ran a red light and plowed into his Vespa moped at La Jolla Boulevard and Nautilus Street, then took off. The rider was rushed to a hospital in critical condition with a brain bleed, a collapsed lung, multiple fractured ribs and a fractured pelvis with internal bleeding, according to San Diego police, who have launched a hit-and-run investigation.
According to NBC 7 San Diego, relaying information from the San Diego Police Department, the crash happened around 4:40 PM as the man rode south on La Jolla Boulevard and entered Nautilus Street on a green light. Investigators say a black Nissan Rogue, believed to be a 2008 to 2013 model, was heading eastbound, ran the red light and slammed into the moped. The driver did not stop, and Traffic Division detectives are canvassing the area for witnesses and surveillance video.
How the law treats hit-and-runs
Under California law, leaving the scene of a crash that injures someone can bring serious criminal charges. Vehicle Code section 20001 requires any driver involved in a collision that causes injury or death to stop, provide identifying information and offer reasonable aid. Violations can be charged as felonies and carry potential state prison or county jail time along with substantial fines.
When a collision results only in property damage, different rules apply. Vehicle Code section 20002 sets out a driver’s duty to stop, locate the owner or leave contact information and report the incident, with misdemeanor penalties for hit-and-run involving damaged property but no injuries.
Local intersection history and rider safety
This corner of La Jolla has seen serious trouble before. In 2020, a crash at the same intersection left a 77-year-old pedestrian badly hurt, according to the Times of San Diego. Local reporting has also chronicled other recent moped and scooter crashes in La Jolla, highlighting how vulnerable two-wheeled riders can be on the village’s narrow streets, including a case involving life-threatening injuries in a DUI-related moped collision.
San Diego police say Traffic Division investigators are continuing to canvass the neighborhood for any witnesses or footage that might help track down the driver. According to NBC 7 San Diego, the suspect vehicle remains described as a black Nissan Rogue manufactured between 2008 and 2013.
