According to a report by Santa Rosa police, a blue 2019 Toyota Tacoma had exited Highway 101 and was traveling east on College Avenue when it hit a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk
Santa Rosa, CA – A pedestrian who was injured in a hit-and-run collision at an intersection in Santa Rosa late last month later died at a hospital, the Santa Rosa Police Department reported.
The crash happened at about 7:13 p.m. on December 31, at the intersection of Morgan Street and College Avenue.
According to a report by Santa Rosa police, a blue 2019 Toyota Tacoma had exited Highway 101 and was traveling east on College Avenue when it hit a pedestrian walking in a crosswalk.
The Tacoma driver failed to stop after hitting the victim and continued heading east. At the scene, police located the vehicle's front bumper and license plate.
Medics transported the pedestrian to a hospital for treatment of critical injuries. The victim was declared deceased at the hospital on Tuesday, January 6. The police identified the pedestrian as Geary Wade Grady, 74, of Santa Rosa.
Shortly after the accident, a driver contacted Santa Rosa police and reported that they had hit a pedestrian. Police located the driver, identified as Brigido Pena Villanueva, 31, of Greenfield, in the area between Highway 101 and Highway 116 in Cotati.
Villanueva was taken into custody on suspicion of hit-and-run causing serious bodily injury. He was booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility.
An investigation into the collision by the Santa Rosa Police Department is ongoing.
California continues to experience a high number of vehicle collisions each year. According to the California Highway Patrol's Statewide Integrated Traffic Records System (SWITRS), there were over 2,000 fatal crashes and nearly 300,000 total collisions reported statewide in 2024. Rear-end and multi-vehicle collisions on major freeways like SR-22 contribute significantly to injuries and hospitalizations.
Drivers are reminded to maintain safe following distances, reduce speeds during low-light conditions, and avoid distractions while driving. Early-morning commuters should stay alert on busy freeways and always wear seatbelts to reduce the risk of serious injuries in multi-vehicle collisions.
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