Driver Arrested In San Jacinto Fatal Hit-And-Run Crash

SAN JACINTO, CA — A 32-year-old man suspected of running over and killing a pedestrian in San Jacinto, then fleeing the scene, was being held Tuesday in lieu of $75,000 bail.

Juan Carlos Rodriguez Salgado was arrested and booked into the Smith Correctional Facility in Banning Monday on suspicion of hit-and-run resulting in death.

According to Riverside County sheriff's Sgt. Patrick Lynch, about 4 a.m. Monday, Salgado was driving at an undetermined speed along San Jacinto Avenue, approaching Seventh Street, when he allegedly ran into the man, whose name was not immediately released, walking on the street.

Security surveillance video cameras in front of area businesses, pointed in the direction of the four-lane corridor, captured what occurred, Lynch said.

He alleged that after hitting the victim, Salgado raced away.

A witness found the man lying in the street, "unconscious with obvious head injuries," and flagged down a passing patrol unit, Lynch said.

The sergeant said paramedics reached the location a short time later, at which point the victim was pronounced dead at the scene.

The video images were quickly downloaded by deputies, who verified the car involved in the hit-and-run, the sergeant said.

"Subsequently, the vehicle and driver were located several blocks away (on Evans Street)," the sheriff's spokesman said. "Damage to the vehicle was consistent with a pedestrian impact."

Salgado was taken into custody without incident.

Background information on the suspect was unavailable.