A driver who fled after allegedly hitting a pedestrian with a vehicle last week in Santa Maria has been identified with the help of another vehicle’s dashboard camera.

At approximately 9:15 a.m. Thursday, officers from the Santa Maria Police Department responded to a vehicle-versus-pedestrian collision at the northbound on-ramp to Highway 101 at Broadway, police Sgt. Shane Armstrong said Monday.

Upon arrival, officers located an injured pedestrian who had major injuries and was transported to Marian Regional Medical Center for further treatment. 

“The collision was witnessed and captured on a vehicle dash camera, which assisted officers in identifying the suspect vehicle,” said Armstrong. 

About 12 hours later, police officers found the suspect vehicle near the intersection of Broadway and Cook Street and contacted the driver.

Officers identified the suspect driver as Ricardo Martinez Alfaro, 41, of San Luis Obispo. 

Alfaro was subsequently booked into the Santa Barbara County Jail for suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing injury.

“Based on preliminary information, the driver who fled the scene was determined to be at fault for the collision,” Armstrong said. “At this time, the pedestrian is expected to recover from his injuries.”

“It is unknown whether alcohol or drugs were contributing factors,” Armstrong added. 

The Santa Maria Police Department’s Traffic Bureau is actively investigating the incident. 

Anyone with information about the incident can contact Officer Nickolas Barton at 80.928.3781, extension1358.