Sarah Villar Killed in Hollister DUI Crash on Sunnyslope Road
Sarah Villar ID’d as Pedestrian Hit and Killed by Vehicle on Sunnyslope Road near Sunnyslope Lane in Hollister
Hollister, California (June 24, 2021) – Authorities have identified the pedestrian who died after being struck by a suspected drunken driver Sunday evening in Hollister as Sarah Villar, 32, of Hollister.
The deadly crash occurred at around 6:25 p.m. Sunday, June 20, on Sunnyslope Road near Sunnyslope Lane.
According to the Hollister police, Manuel Martinez Vazquez, 23, was driving his vehicle southbound on Sunnyslope Road when, for an unknown reason, he swerved to the right.
Vazquez reportedly overcorrected and the vehicle traveled across two lanes before it struck Villar and her 33-year-old fiancé Tayler Schmitt who were walking in the area with their dog.
Sarah Villar Killed, Tayler Schmitt Injured in DUI Pedestrian Accident in Hollister
Villar died at the scene of the crash despite life-saving efforts performed by the medical personnel.
Schmitt was hospitalized with moderate injuries. The dog survived.
Police arrested Vazquez on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter and DUI causing injury. He was booked into the San Benito County Jail.
On Tuesday, Vazquez pleaded not guilty to the charges and his bail has been set at $1.25 million.
The incident is under investigation.
Notable Pedestrian Accident Statistics According to the California Office of Traffic Safety:
- 893 pedestrians were killed, and more than 14,000 were injured on California roadways in 2018.
- California’s pedestrian fatality is almost 25% higher than the national average.
- California is among the leading states in pedestrian deaths.
Safety Tips for Pedestrians
- Make yourself visible to other road users by wearing bright colored clothes, reflector jackets, or using a flashlight when walking at night.
- Avoid distractions such as using your phone while on the streets.
- Cross streets on marked crosswalks and obey traffic lights.
- Always pay attention to your surroundings.
- Be predictable by observing all traffic rules and obeying signs and signals.
Safety Tips for Drivers
- Look out for pedestrians, particularly in hard-to-see conditions, for example, at night and in bad weather.
- Yield and be ready to stop whenever a pedestrian has the right-of-way.
- Be cautious when parking or backing up – pedestrians can move across your path.
- Observe all traffic rules.
If you have lost someone you love in a pedestrian accident and need legal help, call our law office at Click to call : 866-803-6502 and talk to an accident attorney.
