Santa Rosa, CA (August 1, 2024) – On August 1, 2024, a tragic hit-and-run accident occurred on Hearn Avenue near the SMART tracks in Santa Rosa, California, leading to the death of 33-year-old Mahlon Weaver.
Accident Details and Ongoing Investigation: Santa Rosa police arrested 19-year-old Alejandra Vasquez on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing serious injury after investigators tracked down the vehicle involved in the accident to her home on Blue Sky Lane. Surveillance footage revealed that after striking Weaver, the driver stopped the car but did not exit the vehicle. Instead, after approximately one minute, the driver left the scene without rendering aid.
Alejandra’s father, 49-year-old Rafael Vasquez, was also arrested on charges of being an accessory after the fact. Authorities believe that Rafael Vasquez assisted his daughter in hiding the vehicle after the collision, complicating the investigation and delaying justice for the victim and his family.
Legal Considerations: As a personal injury attorney, I find that several legal questions in this case require a thorough investigation. The primary concern is whether Alejandra Vasquez can be held fully accountable for leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury. Under California law, drivers involved in an accident must stop immediately, render aid, and report the incident to the authorities. Failing to do so, especially when it results in death, carries severe criminal and civil consequences.
Additionally, Rafael Vasquez’s role in concealing the vehicle raises significant legal issues. As an accessory after the fact, he could face charges that carry serious penalties, potentially impacting both criminal and civil liabilities. The act of hiding the vehicle could be viewed as obstructing justice, which might affect any civil claims the victim’s family may pursue for wrongful death.
I offer my sincerest condolences to Mahlon Weaver’s family and friends during this difficult time.
Source: CBS News