Crime & Safety

Man Sought In Deadly Hit-And-Run Surrenders

Salvador Almanza, 48, surrendered at the Hemet Police Station, 450 E. Latham Ave., around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Lt. Dean Evans.

A man suspected of killing a 77-year-old Hemet woman in a  hit-and-run collision and eluding authorities for nearly two weeks was behind bars today.

Salvador Almanza, 48, surrendered at the Hemet Police Station, 450 E. Latham Ave., around 3:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Lt. Dean Evans. He was booked into the Southwest Detention Center in Murrieta on suspicion of gross vehicular manslaughter, hit-and-run resulting in death and disorderly conduct.

He's being held in lieu of $150,000 bail.

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Hemet police had asked for the public's help in finding Almanza. to read the story.

The suspect was allegedly at the wheel of a Ford Windstar minivan that slammed into Ervina Keller on the afternoon of July 6, near the intersection of Acacia Avenue and Thompson Street. The 13-year United Way volunteer died at the scene.

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Based on witnesses' statements, Hemet police officers fanned out, looking for the minivan, which was found abandoned not far from the location of the hit-and-run, according to Evans. The driver had fled the scene on foot.

It wasn't immediately clear where Almanza has been hiding. --City News Service


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