Crime & Safety
Man Charged in Hit-and-Run Death of Santa Monica Woman
The woman had just placed her toddler cousin into a car seat in Inglewood when she was struck by a pickup truck.
A 38-year-old man was charged Tuesday with two counts stemming from the hit-and-run death of a Santa Monica woman who had just placed her toddler cousin into a car seat in Inglewood.
Jesus Cazares, of Inglewood, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of leaving the scene of an accident and one misdemeanor count of vehicular manslaughter involving the death of Elisa Alvarez.
Cazares is accused of striking the 47-year-old woman with his pickup truck around 10 p.m. Saturday, just after she had helped to put her toddler cousin into a car seat on Oak Street between Nectarine and Olive streets following a birthday party for a family member.
Alvarez was taken to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Cazares surrendered to Inglewood police Sunday, authorities said. He was ordered to remain jailed on $50,000 bail while awaiting his next appearance Nov. 13 in Inglewood Superior Court.
Cazares could face a maximum of four years in state prison if he is convicted as charged, according to the District Attorney's Office.
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