Victim identified in deadly Hollister hit-and-run
HOLLISTER, Calif. (KION)
UPDATE: The victim in Monday's deadly hit-and-run in Hollister has been identified as Halie Elliott. The San Benito County Sheriff's Office tells KION Elliott is believed to be a Hollister resident, and has previously lived in Alameda County.
PREVIOUS REPORT: 12/24/19 9:09 p.m. Hollister residents are concerned for their safety after a 20-year-old woman was killed in a hit and run Monday evening.
The woman, a pedestrian, was struck by a van on the 1500 block of Hillcrest Road, an area neighbors know well for speeding drivers.
“Unfortunately, they don’t stop. Often, they roll through the intersection. Sometimes they just fly at a higher than necessary speed," said area resident Yana Gatson.
Hollister Police arrested the suspect, 31-year-old Matthew Echevarria.
Witnesses told police he sped off after the crash. But police tracked him and his van down after more people came forward with information.
“The department believes that he was under the influence of a controlled substance at the time of the collision; however it’s an active investigation and things are still being investigated and processed,” said Senior Officer Dave Anderson with the Hollister Police Department.
After the accident, people who live in the area said something has to change.
“I’m there all the time. My children and I ride our bikes there. We walk there. I drive there all the time. I would like to see more monitoring and maybe more police presence,” Gatson said. “I don’t want to walk and look behind my back wondering if someone is going to stop.”
Echevarria was booked into the San Benito County jail. He faces charges including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of drugs causing injury and hit and run from an injury collision.
The identity of the woman who died is not being released until relatives are notified. If you know anything about this case, contact Hollister Police.
PREVIOUS STORY:
A 20-year-old woman was killed after being hit by a car on Hillcrest Road Monday afternoon. Police arrested a driver who witnesses say drove off and was allegedly intoxicated at the time.
Hollister resident Matthew Echevarria, 31, was arrested by police for the crash. It happened at approximately 5:37 P.M. on the 1500 block of Hillcrest Road. Law enforcement found the victim on the road and witnesses told them a vehicle drove off after the crash.
Witness information led police to Echevarria where they say he was also found to be under the influence of drugs at the time of the crash.
Echevarria was booked into the San Benito County Jail for a series of charges including gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, driving under the influence of drugs causing injury and hit and run from an injury collision.
People with information can call the Hollister Police Department at
831-636-4330. You can remain anonymous through the WeTip hotline at 800-87-CRIME.
This is a developing story.
