Maria Elena Chavez de Chavez Dies in Car Collision on Alisal Road near Hartnell Road

Woman Killed in Hit-and-Run Crash in Salinas Identified

Salinas, California: The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office identified the woman who died in a hit-and-run accident Wednesday morning as 67-year-old Maria Elena Chavez de Chavez.

According to the California Highway Patrol, the collision occurred around 6:17 a.m. on Alisal Road north of Hartnell Road.

Investigators said Chavez was a passenger in a Nissan Altima driven south on Alisal Road by a 68-year-old Salinas man.

A white 2001 GMC Yukon was also going south on Alisal Road, approaching the rear of the Altima.

The report said the driver of the Altima started to slow down to turn left into an agricultural field.

The driver of the Yukon moved into the northbound lane and attempted to pass the Altima. At the same time, the driver of the Altima started to turn left in front of the Yukon.

The Yukon driver tried to slow down to avoid a collision but ended up hitting the left rear of the Altima.

The Altima went off the roadway into a ditch east of the road and the Yukon stopped facing the northbound lane in the southbound lane.

The Yukon driver fled the scene before first responders arrived.

Chavez was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Altima driver was hospitalized at Natividad Medical Center with major head injuries.

Authorities are searching for the hit-and-run driver.