Stock image (Source unknown)
SALINAS — A 61-year-old man stepped off the sidewalk onto North Main Street just under the railroad overpass. As he passed into the northbound lane, he was struck by a vehicle driven by 25-year-old Ruben Martinez of Salinas, who then fled the scene.
The victim was taken to Natividad Medical Center for treatment, but was pronounced dead at 5:17 PM.
Martinez stopped the vehicle and traded seats with 25-year-old Guadalupe Mosso Gonzalez at a gas station on East Alisal and Front. A witness reported following him the whole way and even saw him switch seats.
The witness also noticed that there was a 12-year-old passenger in the car who seemed traumatized by the whole ordeal. Gonzales and Martinez continued driving until police stopped the vehicle just up the road on East Alisal and Monterey.
Both Martinez and Gonzales were found to be not under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the time.
Martinez was booked into Monterey County Jail on felony hit-and-run charges involving death, conspiracy, and child endangerment. Gonzalez was booked into Monterey County Jail for being an accessory to the crime, as well as child endangerment.
