Napa Man Arrested Following Crash
On the evening of Tuesday, June 29, 2021, a man from the Napa area was arrested following a suspected felony hit-and-run collision that caused injuries to a motorcycle rider, according to Napa police.
Details of the Incident
The crash happened at approximately 6:30 p.m. near the intersection of Lincoln Avenue and Yajome Street. The motorcyclist sustained a severe laceration to his right upper extremity. He also suffered significant abrasions (road rash). The rider was transported by AMR ambulance to Providence Queen of the Valley Medical Center (the Queen).
Felony Hit-and-Run Suspect Apprehended
Witnesses reported that the motorist involved in the collision left the scene and traveled eastbound on Central Avenue. He abandoned his vehicle on Yajome Street near Paul Avenue. Police were successful in detaining the suspect, Jose Venancio, a 35-year old resident of Napa. He was medically evaluated at the Queen and was then taken to Napa County jail and booked on suspicion of driving under the influence (DUI) and causing injury, as well as leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury to another (felony hit-and-run). According to police, Venancio was on probation related to a prior DUI. He was also, reportedly, driving with a suspended license, and was on supervised release related to a domestic violence arrest.
Penalties for Felony Hit and Run
A motorist can be charged with a felony if he or she leaves the scene of an accident in which another person sustained injuries. The criminal penalties that follow a conviction of felony hit and run vary and could include jail time plus significant fines.
In addition to criminal penalties, there will likely be administrative repercussions for a motorist who is found guilty of a hit-and-run, whether it be felony or misdemeanor. Usually, such a conviction will result in the revocation or suspension of the person’s driver’s license for some period of time. In the recent Napa incident, the suspect was already driving on a suspended license due to prior offenses.
Another type of consequence following the commission and conviction of a hit-and-run could be a civil lawsuit filed by anyone injured by the criminal action. In the Napa crash, a motorcyclist sustained significant injuries. That rider may sue the hit-and-run driver for damages. Assuming that, as reported, the motorist was driving on a suspended license, it may be the case that the vehicle he was driving was uninsured. However, if he was loaned the vehicle by the owner and that owner had auto insurance, that policy will likely apply. If there is no valid automobile insurance, the likelihood that the injured rider will be able to collect any money from the at-fault driver is low. The motorcyclist would still be able to file a claim under his own uninsured motorist coverage.
Finally, if and when a driver convicted of hit-and-run is able to legally drive again when he or she goes shopping for automobile insurance, the premiums will likely be sky-high, since prior behavior shows that the driver will be high-risk.
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Napa Personal Injury Lawyer
Hello – I’m Ed Smith, a personal injury attorney serving the Napa region. Negligence on our highways and roads is an unfortunate issue that we all have to deal with. Sometimes bad driving causes accidents, injuries, and wrongful deaths. If you have suffered injuries or a familial loss as a result of another person’s careless or reckless driving, please reach out to our experienced injury lawyers. We can set up a no-obligation consultation, or we can provide free and friendly advice over the phone. Call us at (707) 564-1900, or from outside the local area code, please dial our toll-free number: (800) 404-5400.
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