Man Suspected Of Hit-And-Run Arrested In Santa Cruz

SANTA CRUZ, CA — A San Jose man was arrested for allegedly hitting a pedestrian with his vehicle Monday night in Santa Cruz, then leaving the scene, police said. At 8:36 p.m., officers responded to a report of a hit and run collision in the 700 block of West Cliff Drive.

At the scene, officers found a 62-year-old woman from Felton who had been struck by a passing vehicle.
According to police, the victim was walking her dog and attempted to cross West Cliff Drive when the vehicle struck her and then fled the scene. The victim was airlifted to a local trauma center where she is in critical condition.

Witnesses described the vehicle as a red convertible Buick LaSabre. Shortly after arriving at the scene, an officer located a 1994 red Buick with damage to the front windshield that was driving in the roundabout
on Beach Street.

The officer stopped the car in the 400 block of Front Street and arrested the driver, 63-year-old Lorenzo Artega of San Jose. Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact San Cruz police at (831) 420-5820. Anonymous tips can be called to the Tip Line at (831) 420-5995.

By Bay City News

Photo courtesy Renee Schiavone/ Patch