SAN DIEGO, CA (September 26, 2022) – A man who allegedly drove under the influence of alcohol and fled after the SUV he was driving fatally struck a toddler in City Heights was behind bars today on suspicion of a slate of charges, including murder.
Margarito Vargas Angeles, 45, was arrested on Saturday evening, almost three hours after the traffic fatality in a residential neighborhood between Central Avenue and state Route 15, according to the San Diego Police Department.
Angeles allegedly sped off after the 1999 Toyota 4Runner he was driving struck the one-year-old girl, who had wandered out into the roadway in the 3900 block of Redwood Street, the SDPD reported.
Paramedics took the child to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Her name has been withheld pending family notification.
A witness to the traffic fatality provided officers with the suspect’s license-plate number, and they tracked down Angeles in the 7100 block of Peter Pan Avenue in Bay Terraces and took him into custody shortly after 9:30 P.M., Lt. Adam Sharki said.
Angeles was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of murder, drunken driving, hit-and-run, and driving with a suspended license. He was being held without bail pending arraignment, which is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
[via City News Service]
Liability In San Diego Pedestrian Accidents
Thousands of pedestrians are killed or seriously injured every year in pedestrian accidents. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “An estimated 137,000 pedestrians were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal crash-related injuries in 2017. Per trip, pedestrians are 1.5 times more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to be killed in a car crash.” There are a number of factors that could lead to a pedestrian collision including:
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Driver distraction
- Inclement weather
All drivers have a legal obligation to exercise due care in order to avoid hitting pedestrians. The family of any victim that died in a pedestrian collision may have legal recourse through a wrongful death claim. Damages in a civil claim can help cover lost wages, medical bills and pain and suffering. A wrongful death attorney can examine all of the facts of your case and let you know what your legal options are.
Investigating Margarito Vargas Angeles’ Killing of San Diego Child
We at Accident News Now extend our deepest condolences to the family of the toddler tragically killed in this collision. Any person that may have information about what happened should reach out to police. There needs to be some accountability for what happened.
Have you or someone that you care about been injured in a car accident? Our team of personal injury attorneys are here to answer any questions that you may have. We care deeply that accident victims are aware of their rights and that those rights are being protected. Whether you just have legal questions or need assistance after an accident we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (844) 966-0965.