Two injured in hit-and-run accidents

Victims in critical, moderate condition; driver arrested after fleeing

By JILLIAN JONES
Register Staff Writer

A 17-year-old boy is in critical condition after a St. Helena man plowed into the teen’s bike while he was riding across a crosswalk on Jefferson Street Saturday.

A second victim also sustained moderate injuries after the suspect fled the scene of the first accident and slammed into an SUV on Jefferson just seconds later, said Napa Police Commander Andy Lewis.

Armando Hurtado, a 44-year-old resident of St. Helena, was arrested for two counts of felony hit and run with injury, resisting arrest and violation of probation.

The first crash occurred around 10:23 a.m. Saturday when Hurtado, heading northbound on Jefferson, failed to stop at a red light at Pueblo Avenue, said Napa Police Sgt. Paul Paniagua.

His white 2000 Nissan pickup truck struck a 17-year-old boy, who was riding his bike westbound in the marked crosswalk at Pueblo Avenue.

The boy and his bike were discovered a distance away from the scene of the accident, either because he was catapulted forward upon impact or carried by the truck while it was moving, he said.

The teen, whose name has not been released, sustained major head injuries and was transported by ambulance to the Queen of the Valley Medical Center, said Paniagua. He was then airlifted to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital where he is in critical condition, he said.

It does not appear that he was wearing a helmet, according to Paniagua. Witness statements indicate that Hurtado was driving at or near the speed limit, he said.

The boy was riding his bike with his younger brother, about 14 years old, said Lewis. His brother was able to avoid the oncoming truck, but was there to watch his brother get hit, he said.

Police could not confirm whether the teen victim is a resident of Napa.

After striking the bicyclist, Hurtado fled the scene and continued northbound on Jefferson Street. He jumped the median and headed into the southbound lanes where his truck rammed into a black 1992 Toyota SUV that was traveling southbound in the 3100 block of Jefferson.

The male driver and sole occupant of the SUV, a 44-year-old Yountville resident whose name was not released, sustained moderate injuries, including an injury to his shoulder, and was transported by ambulance to the Queen, according to Lewis.

After colliding with the SUV, Hurtado fled the scene heading northbound in the southbound lanes until his front right tire blew out and his vehicle became disabled, Paniagua said.

At some point, Hurtado’s air bags deployed, according to Paniagua, though investigators are uncertain when that occurred.

After crashing into the SUV and injuring the second victim, Hurtado jumped from his car and headed on foot toward the Verizon Wireless store across the street. Meanwhile, said Paniagua, he verbally threatened witnesses at the scene in a “nonsensical manner.” At Verizon, citizens surrounded him and held him at bay until police arrived.

Police arrived at the scene minutes later. There, Hurtado confronted police and firefighters and was verbally aggressive, said Paniagua. Hurtado was physically restrained, handcuffed and arrested by police.

Hurtado was transported to the Queen where he was treated for minor injuries. He was released a short time later and booked at the Napa County Department of Corrections.

Hurtado was booked for two counts of felony hit and run with injury, resisting arrest and violation of probation. Hurtado was on probation for trespassing and assault, according to Napa Police Sgt. Debbie Peecook.

Both directions of Jefferson Street between Pueblo Avenue and Claremont Way were blocked while officers investigated the scene. Traffic was diverted onto east and westbound Pueblo Avenue.

Hurtado is a licensed driver and was not found to be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, according to a news release from the Napa Police Department. Paniagua said it will take up to six weeks to get an official toxicology report.

Police are continuing their investigation of the circumstances leading up to the collision. The Napa Police detectives and the department’s Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating the accident. Paniagua said they will search for a black box in Hurtado’s car for information about his speed, and they will continue to contact witnesses.

According to Paniagua, this marks the first major injury accident in Napa for 2008.

“We’re lucky it wasn’t worse,” he said. “We’re lucky more cars weren’t involved.”

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