Hit-and-run driver’s vehicle found two miles from the scene of the collision
25-year-old Richard Zargoza was charged with a felony complaint for a felony warrant that was signed out of Santa Clara County on April 29, 2014. The arrest warrant was set at $75,000 for charges ranging from VC 20001 (a)/(b) – hit and run resulting in death or injury – and PC 1202.7 (a) – conditional probation – on July 17, 2014.
Emergency responders at the scene.
On September 9, 2013 a felony hit-and-run accident that resulted in the injury of another driver was reported near State Route 9 in Santa Clara County. The driver had failed to stop at the scene of an accident where another driver had seriously been injured. During the investigation a witness was able to tell authorities that Zargoza was seen getting too close to the back of a motorcyclist, when he swerved into the on-coming lane, causing the on-coming car to burst into flames.
After hitting a black Chevy Camaro, Zargoza fled in his Chevrolet S-10. However he was unable to drive more than 2 miles from the collision site on the north edge of State Route 35. Zargoza was found approximately 65 feet west of south-bound State Route 9 down an embankment, where his Chevrolet S-10 also suffered major damage to the front end of the vehicle, crumpling the front fender, hood and breaking the windshield.
Part of the official report detailing the accident.
It was determined that Zargoza was driving 50 mph at the time of the collision, crashing into the second vehicle which was traveling at 35 mph. Zargoza was located at his residence and was identified as the person who had been driving at the time of the accident. In a statement by officers, “As V-1 entered the curve on State Route 9, in the northbound lane” that is when Zargoza crossed the double yellow line, swerving into the victim’s vehicle. The driver and passenger were taken to the Stanford Medical Center for treatment by the fire department following the collision.
Zargoza was later taken to the Saint Louise Regional Medical Center for treatment. The Saint Louise Regional Medical Center released a statement with the case report stating, “There is no doubt that seat belts save lives. Every day in the Emergency Department we see people driving without seat belts are more severely hurt. We always buckle up. Please do the same!”
The next court hearing has been scheduled for Sept 2, 2014 at 1:30 pm in Dept 35 at the San Jose Hall of Justice.
