SALINAS (BCN) — Salinas police are investigating a suspected hit-and-run collision after a driver told officers he was unaware he struck a pedestrian Thursday until he returned home and saw damage to his vehicle, police said.
At 9:10 p.m. Thursday, a police officer on routine patrol on East Laurel Drive near St. Edwards Drive in Salinas came upon a pedestrian lying in the roadway surrounded by passing motorists, according to police.
The 22-year-old male victim had been in one of the eastbound lanes trying to cross East Laurel heading north when, according to witnesses, a Jeep Cherokee struck him and the driver continued to drive eastbound, officer said.
The injured man was taken to Natividad Medical Center in serious condition with bleeding to his brain, a broken left leg and collapsed lung, according to police.
The driver of the Cherokee, a 39-year-old man, returned to the scene of the crash about half of an hour later and told police he was driving on East Laurel when he noticed in his rear view mirror that several motorists were stopping, officers said.
He said that he was not aware he had crashed into the victim until he arrived home and noticed that his right front headlight was broken, police said.
The driver told officers that his wife has a heart condition and he had to calm her down before getting back in his Jeep and returning to the crash scene, according to officers.
Police reported that the driver had a valid driver’s license and insurance, volunteered to give a blood sample and did not appear to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Officers impounded his Jeep for evidence and the Police Department’s traffic unit is investigating to determine if there is enough evidence to arrest him, police said.