GONZALES — Gonzales resident Hugo Reyes Oliva was sentenced to five years and eight months in state prison on June 9, announced Monterey County District Attorney’s Office.
A jury previously found Oliva, 39, guilty of felony driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, felony driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher causing injury, and felony hit and run resulting in injury.
At the Oliva’s trial, the evidence established that on Feb. 5, 2022, at 12:20 a.m., officers responded to the intersection of North Main Street and West Market Street in Salinas regarding a collision. A burgundy SUV had struck a pedestrian and mounted the curb, rolling onto its roof into the train station parking lot.
Several witnesses described the driver, later identified as Oliva, who ran toward the train tracks and the Chinatown area. Officers located Oliva within minutes, and a witness identified him at the scene.
“When questioned by officers, Oliva had objective signs and symptoms of intoxication. He admitted to consuming seven beers at 9 p.m. and smoking methamphetamine,” according to the DA’s Office in a news release. “However, he denied driving the vehicle and stated he received his injuries from being ‘jumped’ in Chinatown.”
Oliva’s blood alcohol content was .18.
The victim was transported to Natividad Medical Center and treated for a fractured left femur bone and fractures to his right pelvis.
The case was investigated by the late Salinas Police Officer J.D. Alvarado.
