Hit-and-Run Accident leads to Charges

Suspect was under the influence of Marijuana

SALINAS—The Salinas Police Department have arrested 23-year-old Salinas resident Francisco Miranda Jr. after tests showed that he was under the influence of marijuana when he hit two women, killing them, with his vehicle.

Francisco Miranda Jr.

At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, 57–year-old Cynthia Lane was released from Natividad Medical Center and was walking towards the intersection of East Laurel Drive and Constitution Blvd. She tried flaging down drivers for a ride home. She tried to open the door of a black SUV that was waiting to turn left onto Constitution Boulevard but when the SUV took off, she fell.

“It does not appear that the driver of the SUV knew Lane, or agreed to give her a ride.” Salinas Police Commander Michael Groves said.

24-year-old Linda Rascon Williams, who was a security guard with First Alarm Security and work at NMC, was trying to return a backpack left behind by the Lane, witnessed what had happened and tried to render aid to her. Both Williams and Lane were in the roadway of a busy East Laurel drive when Miranda, driving a white Ford Taurus, did not see the women until it was to late, and struck them. Miranda’s vehicle ran over Lane and knocked Williams 45-feet before eventually running over her as well.

Both women were transported to the NMC within minutes, but died as a result of their injuries. Miranda fled the scene. A witness, who knew Miranda, called his mother and she came to the scene. Police were able to convince her to call him and get him to return to the scene of the accident.

One of the victims, Linda Rascon Williams, was a hospital employee trying to help the other woman. (Facebook)

When he returned, Miranda and his vehicle smelled marijuana. It was determined that he was driving under the influence of the drug. Miranda does have two prior convictions of driving under the influence of marijuana, both earlier this year.

In each of these convictions, a judge told him that he could be charged with murder if he continues to drive under the influence of marijuana and killed someone. He did submit to a blood test.

“Miranda does not have a medical marijuana card, and even still with those cards, you still need to adhere to the rules of the road.” Commander Grove added, “It is true, most people do treat that card as a ‘get out of jail free’ card”.

Miranda was booked into the Monterey County Jail on charges of two counts of murder, two counts of felony hit and run, driving under the influence, driving on a suspended license and violation of probation.

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KSBW: Salinas security guard killed while trying to save hospital patient