In a disturbing incident on Saturday night in Santa Rosa, a 24-year-old man and his dog were hit by a car while crossing the street at Beaver Street and College Avenue. The driver of the white SUV failed to stop and fled the scene.
According to witnesses and the Santa Rosa Police Department, the man was walking his dog when the incident happened around 5:55 p.m. The vehicle, estimated to be driving at 40 miles per hour, struck the man and his pet before continuing on its way. Medical personnel found the man lying in the middle of the road with significant injuries. He was promptly transported to a local hospital, where he remains in critical condition as of Sunday morning.
The dog, frightened by the incident, ran away from the scene but was later found by a local resident and taken to a veterinary hospital for care.
Drawing on security camera footage from the neighborhood, the officers managed to capture a still shot of the suspect vehicle. They identified the suspect and proceeded to his last known address. Later, at 8:40 p.m., a man called 9-1-1, stating that he “may have hit someone.” Officers identified the caller as Eriberto Morales, described as a transient. He was arrested, and officers reported a strong smell of alcohol at the time.
The incident serves as a chilling reminder of the potential dangers pedestrians face and the profound implications of hit-and-run cases. The police are appealing to anyone with additional information to come forward to aid in their ongoing investigation.