Discovery of Wrecked SUV Leads to Hit-and-Run Arrest
August 4th, 2013 – When a wrecked Mazda SUV was discovered at the bottom of a steep 150-foot deep hillside ravine more than a month ago, a search of the area was immediately conducted in hopes of finding survivors, all to no avail as no driver or passenger could be located.
Xochild Togo
It wasn’t until the following day, according to California Highway Patrol spokesman Officer James Studabaker, that Xochild Togo, 20, escorted by her father, arrived at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital for treatment of various minor injuries that included multiple scrapes, lacerations, and bruises. While at the hospital, Togo’s father mentioned the accident and that the injuries had been sustained by another passenger in the SUV, Vanessa Reynoso, 21.
The subsequent investigation and statements by both women, Studabaker reported, led authorities to conclude that “several vehicles were involved in the incident, and that they were driving at a high rate of speed” when the crash took place.
Unidentified witnesses reported to CHP that multiple headlights were observed in the area at the time of the accident, leading investigators to conclude that a second vehicle picked up Togo and Reynoso to remove them from the scene. Suspicions of driving under the influence are unresolved, according to Studabaker “due to the time lapse” between the incident on June 30th and the arrest of Togo on July 5th.
Reynoso’s witness statement indicated that Togo was “sober at the time of the wreck” according to Studabaker, so no charges were filed alleging DUI issues. The arrest of Togo was filed with the Santa Barbara County District Attorney as a misdemeanor charge of hit and run driving causing injury.
Photo: Santa Barbara County Jail Booking
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