WATSONVILLE — A man was killed in a traffic collision on Freedom Boulevard between Marin and Lincoln streets around 9 p.m. Tuesday during a suspected road race.
Jesus Picos DeLeon, 26, fled after the crash and later returned to the scene to turn himself in. He was charged with hit-and-run causing death, and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, jail records showed.
According to Watsonville Police spokesman Michelle Pulido, DeLeon was driving south on Freedom Boulevard in a silver Acura when a pedestrian ran across the street. The pedestrian, who has been identified as 38-year-old Jason Silva, died at the scene of the crash.
While fleeing the scene, DeLeon was reportedly involved in a second collision. The other driver in that crash was not injured.
The collision occurred as the Watsonville City Council discussed road safety for its Complete Streets to School Plan and Downtown Complete Streets Plan.
At the end of the meeting, councilman Felipe Hernandez requested that the city look into increasing enforcement and fines for street racing.
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There are reports of DeLeon racing another vehicle before the fatal collision. Anyone with information is asked to call Sgt. Donny Thul 768-3315.
