Fatal hit-and-run worries nearby residents
New information in a deadly hit-and-run in Salinas Monday night. Police say a 45-year-old woman was killed in the crash at Blanco Road and Riker Street. Several reports came in saying she was lying in the road. She was taken to the hospital but later died.
For now, investigators say they don’t have any information on the car or driver involved. Residents in the Los Olivos-Riker Neighborhood say the crash is a wake up call, and they’re hoping drivers will slow down.
Salinas Police say they don’t have any leads on this case and they’re asking witnesses to come forward. Residents in the neighborhood near the crash say they’re worried about safety on Blanco Road.
“It makes me worry a little bit that someone, like, doesn’t have the heart to stop when they hit someone, and unfortunately the person died and they don’t really care about it. they just left,” said local resident, Samantha Reich.
Salinas Resident Samantha Reich lives near the intersection at Blanco Road and Riker Street. She’s hoping someone who saw the crash will come forward as police search for a suspect.
“There were no witnesses to the accident, however we weren’t there when it happened, so there could have been someone that maybe has surveillance video,” said Salinas PD Watch Commander, Vincent Maiorana.
“Though this area of South Salinas is in a pretty quiet neighborhood, West Blanco Road is a corridor to Marina, and a lot of people treat it as if it’s a freeway,” said Reporter Matt Sizemore.
“Blanco is a four-lane expressway with cars traveling in excess of 45 or 50 miles an hour, and there are some blind spots as well. As a result, I think we’ll see the neighbors ban together for a campaign in bringing awareness to pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Salinas City Councilman, Steve McShane.
And its those blind spots that have resident Jim Summers concerned about speed and safety.
“Well it works for the most part but i mean, they could be a little slower. I mean 45 miles an hour for this area, for this little spot right here can get a little bit hairy since people do cross on the road,” said local resident Jim Summers.
Despite the monitors that look like traffic cameras along Blanco, Salinas Police says it doesn’t have any surveillance equipment in that area, which is why they’re hoping residents do.
“Look at your surveillance cameras. see if right before 9pm if you had a speeding vehicle through the neighborhood or a suspicious vehicle that doesn’t belong in the area. We are interested in looking at that,” said Maiorana.
In the meantime, city leaders like councilman Steve McShane are asking drivers to slow down.
“This is one incident that hits home, and it hits hard, and as a result, the city council and our local government will have to do more when it comes to education and being pro-active to protect our bicyclists, and our pedestrians,” said McShane.
Salinas PD says the city has had extensive talks about getting traffic cameras up around certain parts of the city, but there are no plans in the works to get them. If you have any information about last night’s fatal hit-and-run, you are urged to contact Salinas PD immediately.
