Man Arrested in Garden Grove Hit and Run Accident

Police have arrested a man in connection with a hit and run crash that left a female pedestrian critically injured. According to a news report in The Orange County Register, 29-year-old David Colon was booked on suspicion of driving while impaired and hit and run. The incident occurred the evening of December 5, 2016 when Garden Grove police received a report that a pedestrian had been struck by a vehicle near Brookhurst and 13th streets. When police arrived at the scene, they found a 55-year-old woman seriously injured by a car that had fled.

The woman was transported to an area trauma center with life-threatening injuries and has been reported in critical condition. Witnesses told officers that a 2004 silver Nissan 350z suspected of being involved in the crash had been abandoned in a parking lot close by. Police apprehended Colon shortly afterward and he reportedly admitted that he was involved in the crash. An investigation is ongoing.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured victim of this hit and run accident who has suffered critical injuries. We wish her the very best for a complete recovery.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

There were two fatalities and 54 injuries involving pedestrian accidents in the city of Garden Grove, according to California Highway Patrol’s 2013 Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS). In Orange County as a whole, 52 people died and 784 were injured as a result of pedestrian accidents during the same year.

Violation of Laws

Based on this news report, it appears that the driver of the vehicle not only under the influence when he struck and seriously injured the pedestrian, but also left the scene of the incident leaving the victim lying in the roadway. Under California Vehicle Code Section 23152 (a), it is illegal to operate a vehicle under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. It is also against the law to leave the scene of an injury car crash. Motorists are required to not only exchange pertinent information with other parties, but also help injured victims get medical attention.

Protecting Victims’ Rights

Injured victims of hit-and-run crashes would be well advised to contact an experienced Orange County car accident attorney who will stay abreast of the official investigation and ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected. A knowledgeable lawyer will also be able to advise victims about how their own auto insurance policy might apply to a case involving a driver who doesn’t have auto insurance or sufficient coverage.