Police Arrest Woman, 19, In Vacaville For March Accident That Injured Watsonville Boy

Watsonville police on Thursday arrested a woman suspected of being the driver of a car that struck and critically injured a 10-year-old boy as he walked in a crosswalk in March, police said.

Police located Brenda Alcara Velador, 19, in Vacaville on Thursday and arrested her on suspicion of reckless driving that caused serious bodily injury, according to police Sgt. Eric Montalbo.

On March 12, on Main Street near First Street in Watsonville, the boy was walking with his family in a crosswalk when a speeding motorist struck him, Montalbo said.

The Watsonville Police Department’s traffic and investigations divisions conducted a joint inquiry into the accident and identified Velador as the driver, police said. Police obtained a warrant for Velador’s arrest from the Santa Cruz District Attorney’s Office and despite knowing about the warrant, Velador refused to cooperate and fled the county to avoid arrest, according to Montalbo.

Watsonville police arrested her in Vacaville after tracing her to a residence there.

She was transported to the county jail in Santa Cruz where her bail was set at $500,000, Montalbo said.

The boy remains in critical condition at a children’s hospital, according to the department.

--Bay City News