Arrest Made In Napa Hit-And-Run That Critically Injured Woman: PD

NAPA, CA — Napa police said an arrest has been made in a hit-and-run that left a Napa woman hospitalized in critical condition. Alexandra Varellas was booked into jail Wednesday, accused of hit-and-run with injuries in the incident that happened Tuesday evening on Soscol Avenue, according to Napa police Sgt. Kristofer Jenny.

The 62-year-old woman hit by a car at about 6:42 p.m. Wednesday remains hospitalized at Queen of the Valley Medical Center, the sergeant said in a news release issued at 10 p.m. Wednesday.

Following the incident, police sought the public's help in locating the vehicle involved in the collision, which happened in the 1900 block of Soscol, near Walmart.

At about 3:15 p.m. Wednesday, an alert citizen called the Napa Police Department to report a suspicious vehicle parked in the 700 block of Marsh Court, the sergeant said.

"Napa police officers responded to the scene and located a newer model Honda Civic, with damage that appeared to be consistent with damage from a vehicle collision," Jenny said. "The vehicle was impounded for forensic processing."

Meanwhile, detectives developed additional information that led them to a residence in the 700 block of Marsh Drive, which is north of Pueblo Avenue and not far from where the Honda had been parked.

Jenny said when contacted by detectives, Varellas, the registered owner of the car, "made statements indicating her involvement in the collision."

Varellas was arrested without incident, Jenny said, and transported to the Napa County Department of Corrections.

She is accused of one felony count of hit-and-run with injuries, the sergeant said.

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"This investigation would not have progressed at this pace without the awareness of a member of the community who responded to our request for assistance on social media," Jenny said.

"Based upon evidence collected during the investigation, there are several motorists [who] were in the area when this collision occurred Tuesday evening," Jenny said. "We still need your help."

Anyone with information should contact Napa police Officer Aaron Medina by phone at 707-257-9223 or via email at amedina@cityofnapa.org.

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