WATSONVILLE—The Watsonville man who died Dec. 15 after he was struck by a car as he walked along West Beach Street has been identified as Abel Elizondo Rodriguez, 42.
Watsonville Police spokeswoman Michelle Pulido said Rodriguez was walking partially in the westbound lane in front of Big Creek Lumber, 1400 W. Beach St., while pushing a cart full of recyclable goods. He was struck and killed by a Volvo station wagon shortly before 1:30am.
Investigators reported the 22-year-old male driver did not see the pedestrian “until it was too late to react,” Pulido said.
“He stayed at the scene of the crash and immediately called 9-1-1,” she said. “The driver has been fully cooperating with the investigation.”
DUI and cell phone use do not appear to be a factor in the incident, Pulido said.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call Sgt. Donny Thul at 768-3315.
