Cruz faces a host of charges, including felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter
CARLSBAD, CA, (September 10, 2024) - Authorities in Carlsbad say they arrested a suspect driver who fled the scene of a fatal crash that happened Tuesday around 12:37 a.m. along Las Palmas Drive.
A 23-year-old woman tragically lost her life in a hit-and-run collision that occurred Tuesday around 12:37 a.m. in the 2200 block of Las Palmas Drive, according to Carlsbad Police.
According to Carlsbad Police, Jose Manuel Zambrano Cruz, 26, was driving a Volkswagen Jetta at a high rate of speed when he slammed into three cars and a pedestrian who had just gotten out of her car. Cruz allegedly did not stop at the crash site. Tragically, a 23-year-old woman, whom officials did not identify, died from injuries.
The 26-year-old was later arrested and booked into jail on multiple charges, including felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter, police said.
Anyone with information about the case was urged to call 442-339-2282.
The investigation is ongoing.
CRASH INVESTIGATION NEEDED
Failure to remain on the collision site can attract criminal charges, and the victim can also pursue a case against the driver.
According to the California Office of Traffic Safety (COTS), in 2018, around 893 pedestrians were killed on California roadways, a 26% increase from 2014.
“Having the proper resources is extremely important to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence,” said Candice Bond, an experienced hit-and-run accident attorney and a Managing Partner of Bond Legal.
Added Bond, the national analyst for Newsline, “The driver always has to take great care behind the wheel.”
WRONGFUL DEATH CLAIM
Pending the investigation, the family members of the victim may be entitled to a wrongful death claim. Family members of wrongful death victims may seek damages for loss of companionship, pain and suffering, and emotional distress following a catastrophic accident.
“The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident,” said Stefano Formica, Of Counsel with Bond Legal.
“A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that the victim's legal rights and best interests are protected.”
If your loved one has been killed by a hit-and-run driver and would like a no-cost consultation, please contact our national legal analysts Candice Bond and Stefano Formica today
(Candice Bond, Managing Partner, and Stefano Formica, Of Counsel, at Bond Legal, are the national legal analysts for Newsline. Newsline can and does use quotes from prior interviews with our analysts for our news articles. If you would like to contact Bond Legal to help you, please call 866-985-6515 or use the submission box found on this page. Legal analysts quoted may or may not be licensed in your state).