Santa Rosa, CA (January 2, 2026) – A pedestrian was severely injured on Wednesday evening after being struck in a hit-and-run collision at the intersection of Morgan St and College Ave in Santa Rosa, authorities confirmed.
The incident occurred at approximately 7:13 p.m. when a blue 2019 Toyota Tacoma, which had just exited Highway 101, was traveling eastbound on College Ave and struck a man walking in a marked crosswalk. Instead of stopping, the driver fled the scene, continuing eastbound, leaving behind significant vehicle debris, including the front bumper and license plate.
Emergency crews responded promptly and transported the injured pedestrian to a nearby hospital. Officials later confirmed the man had sustained critical injuries.
Shortly after the incident, a driver contacted police to report their involvement in the collision. Officers later located the suspect, identified as 31-year-old Brigido Pena Villanueva of Greenfield, in the area between Highway 116 and Highway 101 in Cotati.
Villanueva was taken into custody and booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility on suspicion of hit-and-run causing serious bodily injury.
Our thoughts are with the injured pedestrian, and we wish them strength and healing during their recovery.
