A hit-and-run driver on Tuesday, February 25th, at Watsonville, California, 31 miles from San Jose, cut short the life of a pedestrian. The police have identified the latter as 38-year-old, Jason Silva.

Silva was jaywalking along Freedom Boulevard, between Lincoln and Marin Streets when he got hit by an Acura vehicle. The driver of the car fled the scene of the accident, and later got identified as Jesus Picos DeLeon, 26.

The fatal crash happened at about 9 p.m., and the Watsonville Police Department stated that they received an unconfirmed report that the driver was involved in a car race at the time of the accident. The story has not been confirmed.

DeLeon hit a second car while he was fleeing the scene, but there’s no report on the identity of the other driver or if he or she got injured. Silva, on the other hand, passed away from his injuries before first responders got to the scene.

The offending driver later got arrested, and he is currently in jail in place of a bail bond of $10 000. He is facing a criminal charge of a felony hit-hit-and run resulting in death.

Under California law, a hit-and-run is a wobbler offense, meaning it gets charged as a misdemeanor or as a felony, depending on the circumstance of the case. It becomes a felony when a person gets injured, or there’s a death.

When it’s the latter, the offender faces up to four years in state jail and a fine of $10 000. The California DMV will also add two points to the person’s driving record, and the insurance provider might raise its premium.

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