watsonville crash — Watsonville police investigate a hit-and-run crash on East Beach Street in front of Watsonville High School early Sunday morning. — Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian

Three cars damaged in suspected hit-and-run crash

June 28, 2021

WATSONVILLE—Watsonville police are investigating a suspected hit-and-run crash on East Beach Street in front of Watsonville High School early Sunday morning.

WPD Cpl. Collin Travers said a 2019 Honda Accord was traveling eastbound on East Beach Street at 5:45am. For unknown reasons the driver of the Accord slammed into a parked Acura sedan, ripping the right rear tire off the car and shoving it into a parked Honda Civic Si sedan in front of the S. Martinelli facility.

The Accord then careened across Each Beach Street, showering the roadway with car parts, and came to a rest with a blown out front tire and caved in driver side just south of Lincoln Street.

Multiple witnesses said a male driver in the Accord ran from the crash.

The incident is still under investigation.

Tarmo Hannula

Tarmo Hannula has been the lead photographer with The Pajaronian newspaper in Watsonville since 1997. He also reports on a wide range of topics, including police, fire, environment, schools, the arts and events. A fifth generation Californian, Tarmo was born in the Mother Lode of the Sierra (Columbia) and has lived in Santa Cruz County since the late 1970s. He earned a BA from UC Santa Cruz and has traveled to 33 countries.