18-Old-Driver Arrested In Watsonville Hit-And-Run

WATSONVILLE, CA — The driver wanted in an October hit-and-run that left a woman with major injuries has turned himself in, the Watsonville Police Department reported.

Rafael Reyes, 18, was booked into Santa Cruz County jail for felony hit-and-run Tuesday night.

On October 27, Reyes was driving on Freedom Boulevard near Stanford Street in Watsonville when he struck the 23-year-old victim shortly before 5 a.m. He left the crash scene in a black GMC pickup, which was later located at his home in Watsonville, police said.

The victim was flown to an out-of-county hospital; she has since been released but has a long road to recovery, according to police.

The Watsonville Police Department thanked residents for their help in the case.

"The amount of community involvement we received in this case was absolutely incredible," the department posted on social media. "Dozens of residents were reaching out every day in hopes of helping us solve this case. We believe that ultimately, ALL OF YOU helped in getting Reyes to turn himself in."