Salinas police investigating fatal hit-and-run Thursday morning

The Salinas Police Department is investigating a fatal hit-and-run that happened at around 5 a.m. Thursday.

It happened on the 2200 block of North Main Street. The victim was a known transient, 54-year-old Gretchen Knowles.

Police say the vehicle involved did not stop at the scene of the crash. Knowles was pronounced dead at the scene.

SPD is searching for any other possible leads.

“We’re looking at video in the area that may have captured the vehicle either coming into or leaving the area,”Sgt. Robert Hampson said.”Somewhere I suspect the vehicle is parked with some damage to the front end or the windshield. We’re not certain, but there is going to be some damage to it.”

People who live the surrounding area say they see drivers speeding all the time down North Main Street.

“My dad actually got hit by a car coming out while a car was trying to come in because they come out way too fast, or they’re like going way to fast,”Iris Trevino said.

According to Police, the car that struck Knowles was likely heading south.

Neighbors and officers agree this road can be threatening and may continue to be if drivers don’t follow the law.

“That’s a big wide stretch of roadway that’s very straight, so vehicles tend to drive very quickly through there especially through the hours in the morning when there’s light traffic,” Hampson said.

The person driving the vehicle has not been identified. If you have any information, you are asked to call Salinas police at 831-758-7321.