The Hollister resident was struck at Pacific Avenue and Laurel Street, authorities say
SANTA CRUZ, CA, (October 27, 2024) - A San Jose woman was arrested for felony hit-and-run in connection with a crash that badly hurt a pedestrian Sunday morning in Santa Cruz, according to police.
A Hollister local was seriously injured after being hit by a driver who, Santa Cruz police say, fled the scene. The suspect—Harshitha Kachibhoeia—later turned herself in, officials said.
Harshitha Kachibhoeia, 20, fled the scene after the crash. She later turned herself into Santa Cruz police.
The pedestrian—identified only as a female from Hollister—was struck at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and Laurel Street around 1:31 a.m. in the city's downtown area. Medics took the victim to an out-of-county trauma center, where she underwent surgery and remains stable.
No additional details about the tragic incident were immediately available.
The investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Leaving the scene of an accident is a crime, but sadly statistics indicate that approximately 11 percent of all crashes involve a hit-and-run driver.
In most cases involving drivers who do not stop at the scene, the at-fault drivers feel they can avoid the consequences of their actions if they leave the scene. However, a suspect will be charged when apprehended.
Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney, said it is imperative in such cases to have an independent investigation conducted promptly by a seasoned attorney to protect the rights of a victim.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence,” said Bond, a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
PERSONAL INJURY CLAIM
Pending the investigation results, the Hollister resident may have the right to pursue a personal injury lawsuit. Bond noted that the stress and worry following a serious injury could be overwhelming, disrupting all aspects of life, including family, work, finances, and overall quality of life.
“It is vital for victims to hire an attorney when filing a personal injury claim, which allows them to negotiate with an insurance company on behalf of a client,” said Bond, a national legal analyst for Newsline.
“Insurance companies often try to pressure victims to settle for a quick payout for far less than the case is worth. However, an attorney will vigorously advocate for their client to ensure that they are treated with respect and compensated fairly.”
If you, a friend, or a family member have been injured at the hands of a hit-and-run or drunken driver, contact our national legal analyst Candice Bond for a free consultation for guidance.
(Candice Bond, our national legal analyst, is a Managing Partner at Bond Legal. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).