Pedestrian Killed By Merced County Sheriff's Deputy March 04, 2016 Hilmar resident, 51 year-old Pedro Rocha was hit and killed by a Merced Count
Pedestrian Killed By Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy
March 04, 2016
Hilmar resident, 51 year-old Pedro Rocha was hit and killed by a Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy.
The Merced County Sheriff’s Deputy, 27-year-old Vincent Lamattina was on duty, driving his police-issued Ford Crown Victoria patrol car when he struck Pedro Rocha, who was walking on Highway 165 in the southbound lane.
Lucy Leonard witnessed the aftermath of the fatal crash. Her and other residents living on Highway 165 say “drivers act as if there is no speed limit” on that stretch of road. Residents have voiced concern over the poorly lit area, and no crosswalks in site.
The CHP has brought in a team from the Multi-Disciplinary Accident Investigation squad to study the facts of the collision.
Rocha was dressed in dark clothing, walking on Highway 165, and is said to have been in the roadway. Authorities are examining how fast Officer Lamattina was driving.
CHP officers were in the vicinity, investigating another crime, and rushed to the crash but Mr. Rocha apparently died on impact.
Officer Lamattina was placed on administrative leave pending completion of the investigation.