(KRON) -- A 64-year-old woman walking in Berkeley Tuesday evening was killed after police said she was struck by a hit-and-run DUI driver. The suspected driver was later located and arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, gross vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run causing death.
The Berkeley Police Department responded to the collision at 6:38 p.m. in the area of Ashby Avenue and Regent Street. Investigators learned the pedestrian was hit by a westbound vehicle, which fled the scene after the crash. The victim was rushed to a local trauma center with serious injuries, where she later died.
“A witness played a critical role in helping officers identify the suspect vehicle,” Berkeley PD wrote. “After spotting a silver Kia Soul a few blocks from the collision scene, the witness provided officers with its license plate number.”
Police tracked the suspect vehicle as it traveled just beyond the Interstate 580-Interstate 80 split. The 66-year-old driver, identified as Oakland resident Nickolaus Messina, yielded to officers and was taken into custody.
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Messina was booked into the Santa Rita Jail. Bail was set at $380,000. Arraignment was scheduled for Nov. 6.
“We are grateful for the community's continued trust and support, and especially for the witness whose actions helped officers locate the driver,” Berkeley PD wrote.
