Jose Gil Ortiz-Ortiz Arrested for DUI Hit-and-Run Collision near Brookwood Avenue and Fourth Street
SANTA ROSA, CA (March 11, 2018) – An 18-year-old man suspected of driving under the influence of alcohol, struck four people on the sidewalk near Brookwood Avenue on Sunday.
The hit-and-run collision occurred at around 1:48 AM outside NY Pie pizzeria on the northwest corner of Brookwood Avenue and Fourth Street.
According to authorities, Jose Gil Ortiz-Ortiz was driving south in a Ford Explorer on Brookwood Avenue when he lost control of the vehicle. The Ford hit the curb, struck four pedestrians and a No Parking sign on a steel pole. His vehicle lost its rear right wheel in the crash and kept driving. Traces of the crash were visible outside the pizzeria after the incident. The SUV scraped the concrete sidewalk, bent an intact street sign at a 90-degree angle from the base and a left a small chunk of its rim on the curb.
Ortiz-Ortiz drove off and left the damaged vehicle two blocks away. Officers and a police dog found Ortiz-Ortiz hiding in the bushes near a business on Second Street.
A Redcom dispatcher reported that two of the victims were struck by the Explorer and one of the victims was hit by one of its wheels. They were transported to Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital. The victims sustained major, but non-life threatening, injuries according to police.
The 18-year-old is now facing drunk driving and hit-and-run charges.
Unfortunate road accidents can happen anywhere and to anyone. One small mistake could lead to disastrous results, especially if there is alcohol or drug involved. It is important to drive defensively and always abide to all driving laws to ensure your safety and the safety of surrounding vehicles, motorists, and pedestrians.
If involved in hit-and-run incident, contact the experienced personal injury lawyers at Sweet Law Group. We promise to work for you, day and night, until we achieve the proper compensation and justice that you and your family deserve. Call our offices at (800) 203-3061 for a free consultation, and discuss your case with a legal professional in your area. We can also be contacted 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week by email, online chat, and text message.
