SALINAS, Calif. -- A Salinas man was under the influence of alcohol when he backed into a one-year-old girl with his truck, killing her Monday night, Salinas Police said.
According to Salinas Police, the driver, Armando Bautista, who lives with the victim, backed up and hit the girl around 4:25 p.m. on the 1000 block of Chico Way and Calaveras Drive, then ran away. When officers arrived on scene they found the 1 1/2 year old toddler under the back wheel of a Bautisa's GMC Silverado pickup.
Officers and paramedics performed first aid to the child who was later transported to the Natividad Medical Center. The child died at the hospital as a result of severe head injuries. Police believe she ran from the house and into the path of the car.
After the accident, Bautista fled the area and did not wait for police and/or paramedics to arrive. Officers were able to make contact with him via telephone and determined that he fled to a nearby restaurant. Officers later arrived at the restaurant where they found Bautista and took him into custody without incident.
Bautista was determined to be under the influence of alcohol when he was contacted and determined to be under alcohol influence when he was involved in the accident. Bautista was booked at the Monterey County Jail for felony DUI, Hit and Run and driving while suspended. Case still under investigation.
The child's name is being withheld at this time pending family notification.
