Charges Filed In Hit-And-Run Near Walnut Creek Farmers' Market

WALNUT CREEK, CA — A Vallejo man is facing charges in connection with a hit-and-run crash Sunday near the Walnut Creek Farmer's Market that left two people struggling for their lives.

The Walnut Creek Police Department on Wednesday presented the case to the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office, and the DA filed significant charges against Jose Manuel Chavez, 33, of Vallejo, Walnut Creek police Lt. Bruce Jower said.

The charges stem from an incident Sunday just before the opening of the regular Sunday Farmers' Market in downtown Walnut Creek. Around 5:15 a.m., the Walnut Creek Police Department received a call about a crash involving a vehicle and a pedestrian on Locust Street between Cole and Lacassie avenues — a section of street typically closed Sundays for the Farmers' Market.

It is alleged that while vendors were setting up for the event, Chavez struck two female victims with his SUV and then fled the scene.

Officers arrived to find the two women suffering major injuries from the collision. The victims were taken to the hospital and remained in critical condition Thursday, Jower said.

The Sunday Farmers Market was closed for the day while police investigated the incident.

Walnut Creek police located Chavez's damaged SUV entering I-680 at Lawrence Way, the DA's Office said. Officers pulled him over on Buskirk Avenue, near the Pleasant Hill/Contra Costa Centre BART station, by 5:20 a.m. and arrested him shortly after.

Wednesday, the DA's Office filed charges against Chavez. He faces two felony counts of driving under the influence causing injury to both victims. The charges include enhancements related to injuries sustained by both victims. He is also charged with felony hit and run resulting in serious injury and a misdemeanor for driving without a valid license after a DUI offense.

Chavez remained in custody Thursday at West County jail in Richmond where his bail was set at $260,000. He was expected to be arraigned Thursday afternoon in Contra Costa Superior Court in Martinez.

"This case continues to be under investigation, and the names of the victims are not being released at this time," Jower said. "If you or someone you know has information about this case, please contact the Walnut Creek Police Department at 925-943-5844 or call the Anonymous Tip Line at 925-943-5865."