Santa Rosa, CA – According to The Sacramento Bee, 19-year-old Alejandra Vasquez and her 49-year-old father Rafael Vasquez are facing serious charges following a fatal hit-and-run that took the life of a pedestrian identified as 33-year-old Mahlon Weaver on Thursday, August 1, 2024. The accident occurred on Hearn Avenue near the train tracks shortly before 10 AM.
According to the Santa Rosa Police Department, the incident happened. A bystander called 911 after witnessing a car strike a pedestrian on Hearn Avenue. The driver of the vehicle left the scene immediately after the collision, leaving the victim critically injured.
When officers arrived, they found the victim, later identified as Weaver, unconscious and suffering from severe injuries. Weaver was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated in critical condition. Sadly, he succumbed to his injuries just over a week later, leaving behind grieving family and friends.
The Santa Rosa Police Department launched an extensive investigation, relying on witness accounts and security footage from a nearby home. The footage showed a white Lexus sedan traveling west on Hearn Avenue. As Weaver crossed the street, the vehicle struck him. The video also revealed that the driver stopped for approximately 1.5 minutes before driving away without exiting the car.
Despite the video evidence, officers were initially unable to identify the vehicle’s license plate or any distinct features of the occupants. However, the investigation took a significant turn when officers reviewed footage from a Flock Safety camera located a block away from the accident site. This camera captured images of a white Lexus entering the intersection just before the collision.
With the help of this footage, police were able to trace the car’s license plate to a local residence. When officers visited the home, they spoke with the residents and discovered that the vehicle was being driven by a 19-year-old woman named Alejandra Vasquez at the time of the accident. The car was found parked in the garage, showing signs of damage consistent with the collision.
Alejandra Vasquez was arrested and booked into jail on felony hit-and-run charges. The police have stated that there is no evidence to suggest that drugs or alcohol played a role in the incident.
In a further development, the woman’s father, 49-year-old Rafael Vasquez, was arrested more than a week after his daughter’s arrest. He is accused of being an accessory after the fact, with police alleging that he assisted in hiding the damaged vehicle following the crash.
California Hit-and-Run Laws
California Law requires drivers involved in a collision to stop their vehicle, notify law enforcement, and exchange insurance information with others involved. Failure to do so, considered to be a “hit-and-run,” is a misdemeanor in cases of property damage and a felony when someone has been injured.
Wrongful Death Claims
Whether or not a collision results in criminal charges for any of those involved, families who have lost a loved one in a fatal collision may be able to file a Wrongful Death claim with the insurance provider of the at-fault driver.
The compensation provided by a Wrongful Death claim can relieve the financial burdens created by medical expenses, burial costs, and the loss of income needed to support the deceased’s dependents.
Insurance companies will work to reduce any claim they cannot deny. This is where the help of a knowledgeable personal injury attorney proves invaluable, negotiating on behalf of victims and their families to ensure they receive proper compensation.
