Salinas pedestrian in ICU after Thursday night crash, police say

A 22-year-old man is in critical condition after a hit-and-run crash Thursday night at East Laurel Drive and St. Edwards Drive in Salinas, police said.

Officers said the victim was not in a crosswalk at the time of the crash. Emergency responders said the victim was taken to Natividad Medical Center’s Trauma Unit for brain bleeding, a broken left leg and a collapsed lung. Officers said he is in stable condition in the intensive care unit.

A Salinas police officer was able to locate the hit-and-run driver after the 39-year-old returned to the scene with his wife, police said. The driver said he was unaware that he hit anyone on East Laurel Drive, but did notice cars were stopping in his rear view mirror.

The driver told police that his wife has a heart condition he needed to help her with before returning to the scene. Officers said the case will be forwarded to the traffic unit to investigate whether there’s enough evidence to make an arrest.