MEDIA CONTACT: Sophia Rome
EMAIL: sophiar@ci.salinas.ca.us
CONTACT TITLE: Community Relations Mgr / PIO
PHONE: (831) 758-7407
RELEASE DATE: July 31, 2024
Salinas, CA – On Friday, July 26th at approximately 6:20 pm, Salinas Police officers responded to a very tragic, hit and run, vehicle/pedestrian collision at the corner of E. Alisal St. and Wood St. When officers arrived on scene, they located an adult male with significant injuries and a three-year-old who was pronounced deceased on scene. The adult male was transported with non-life-threatening injuries.
The investigation revealed both victims were walking southbound on Wood St. in the crosswalk after receiving the pedestrian walk signal. The driver of a maroon Hyundai was driving westbound on E. Alisal St. and ran the red light at a high rate of speed striking both victims before fleeing the scene. In the early morning hours on Saturday, July 27th, officers located the suspect vehicle unoccupied. Through the course of this extensive investigation, Salinas Police Officers and Detectives worked tirelessly and have been able to identify Ricardo Archundia Cruz (20) as the suspect (pictured below). Salinas Police have obtained a warrant for the arrest of Archundia Cruz on the charges of Vehicular Manslaughter and Hit and Run.
Detectives have obtained information leading them to believe that Archundia Cruz fled to Mexico immediately after the incident. Anyone with information regarding this incident or with information regarding the location of Archundia Cruz is encouraged to contact Detective Robert Miller at 831-758-7954 or robertm@ci.salinas.ca.us. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may also call the Salinas Police Department anonymous tip line at 831-775-4222.
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