By Gina Yarbrough
Carlsbad, CA–A speeding vehicle struck and killed a pedestrian as she exited her vehicle in Carlsbad early Wednesday morning, authorities said.
The incident occurred at 12:37 a.m. in the 2200 block of Las Palmas Drive, the Carlsbad Police Department said.
When officers arrived at the location, they found a Volkswagen Jetta that collided with three cars and a pedestrian. The victim, a 23-year-old female from San Diego, sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The Volkswagen was traveling eastbound on Las Palmas Drive at a high rate of speed before the collision, according to authorities.
The driver of the Volkswagen, identified as 26-year-old Jose Manuel Zambrano Cruz from Carlsbad, fled the scene after the collision. He was later located in the 6600 block of El Camino Real and placed under arrest for felony hit and run, DUI causing injury or death and vehicular manslaughter. Zambrano Cruz was booked into the Vista Detention Facility.
The identity of the woman is being withheld pending notification of next of kin.
The cause of the collision remains under investigation, with alcohol suspected to be a contributing factor.
The Carlsbad Police Department is seeking additional witnesses to the incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Traffic Accident Investigator Corporal Matt Bowen at (442) 339-2282.
