Police: Hit-and-run accidents becoming too common for Salinas

This year alone the Salinas Police Department has investigated dozens of hit and run accidents. It’s something which Salinas Police say is far too common for a city the size of Salinas.

Four years ago Adrian Garcia was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bike on Natividad Road.

A mural is in the spot where Garcia died that night with the words “hit and run” inscribed in a passage dedicated to him.

“Unfortunately some people do not assume their responsibility when they’re involved in an accident,” explains Salinas Police Press Information Officer Miguel Cabrera. “They [drivers] just continue and flee the scene.”

A hit and run investigation with very little evidence as to who the suspect is can prove difficult for police.

Cabrera says there are a number of hit and run accidents this year which Police have yet to solve.

That same difficulty was felt when just this month a woman was struck and killed by a vehicle on De La Torre street.

According to the Salinas Police Department’s most recent findings, this year police received 58 reports of hit and run incidents taking place in the city.

Overall these type of collisions happen everywhere and hit and run accidents can of course involve vehicles colliding as well.

“Some are obviously very minor some are not,” Cabrera explains. Regardless of that it’s your obligation to stop, check on the driver and injuries and exchange information.”

Officer Cabrera says police sometimes provide city leaders input on where flashing crosswalks and traffic lights should be placed in an effort to provide more safety for drivers and pedestrians.

He says witnesses are not encouraged to follow a suspect attempting to drive away from the scene.

Salinas resident Phil Dowden says pedestrians and drivers alike should be more responsible in their actions.

“He’s gotta watch the road. He can’t be texting on the phone,” Dowden says. “He’s gotta drive which means you’ve gotta have 100 percent control.”