Community Corner
Hit-And-Run Kills Person In Wheelchair In Santa Cruz; Driver Arrested For DUI
Officers said the victim, who was in a motorized wheelchair, was attempting to cross Capitola Road.
SANTA CRUZ – Authorities have arrested a woman on felony DUI and vehicular manslaughter charges in connection with a deadly hit-and-run that killed a man in a wheelchair in Santa Cruz over the weekend.
According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision took place in the area of Captiola Road and 7th Avenue around 10:10 p.m. Sunday.
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Officers said the victim, who was in a motorized wheelchair, was attempting to cross Capitola Road and entered the roadway struck by a driver in a 1999 Mercedes-Benz. The driver fled the scene headed westbound.
The victim, identified as a 69-year-old man from Santa Cruz, was taken to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas for life-threatening injuries and later died. His name has not been released.
Find out what's happening in Santa Cruzfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Police found the Mercedes abandoned on a nearby street.
Following an investigation, CHP officers arrested the driver at her home in Santa Cruz early Monday morning. The suspect, identified as 39-year-old Jessica Thompson, has been booked on charges of felony DUI, vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run.
It was not immediately known when Thompson would appear in court on the charges.
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