On July 9, 2015 at 5:20 AM, Santa Cruz Police Officers responded to a report of a hit and run collision in the area of Park Way and Acacia Way. Witnesses reported a silver Jeep Cherokee colliding with a parked car in the area. Witnesses also reported that the driver was naked as he fled from his car, and into the backyard of a home in the area. The homeowner reported the suspect was attempting to get into the residence via a sliding glass door.
Several officers arrived and were able to safely take the suspect into custody. Officers discovered the suspect sustained significant injuries during the collision. The suspect was transported from the scene to Dominican Hospital where he remains in ICU.
The suspect was identified as Richard Ducati, 51 year old from San Francisco.
Investigating officers believed Mr. Ducati was under the influence of drugs at the time of the collisions and subsequent arrest.
This collision came on the heels of another hit and run collision reported in the city of Santa Cruz at Mission Street and Miramar Drive, and another in the Live Oak area. Mr. Ducati is believed to be involved in these collisions, and possibly others through the area.
Mr. Ducati’s vehicle became disabled in the final collision and was towed from the scene. Photos of the vehicle are attached.
Mr. Ducati will likely be hospitalized for an extended period of time. He will be booked for his pending charges of Driving Under the Influence of Drugs, and Hit and Run when medically cleared. At this time, there is not a photo available for Mr. Ducati. Photos of silver Jeep Cherokee attached.
The Santa Cruz Police Department is actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information relative to this incident is asked to contact the Investigations Unit at (831) 420-5820.
Congratulations
to
Officer Ryan Kiar
Officer Brad Burruel
Santa
Cruz Police Officers Ryan Kiar and Brad Burruel were
recognized
today at an award ceremony in Monterey for their DUI enforcement
efforts.
The recognition
ceremony was a collaborative effort by the State of California Office of
Traffic Safety and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The ceremony
honored police officers from around the Central Coast for taking
impaired drivers off of our streets and saving innocent lives that may
have otherwise been lost when these impaired drivers become involved in
deadly traffic collisions.
Just to give a little perspective, we are not even 1/3 of the way into the year and the Santa Cruz Police Department has already arrested 51 drunk drivers since January. Each one is potentially a serious collision waiting to happen. Unfortunately, those numbers usually increase during the spring and summer months.
You can help us by reporting drunk drivers, taking the keys, and designating a driver.
Officers Kiar and Burruel were among honorees from Central Coast law enforcement
agencies. They were joined at the ceremony by Deputy Chief Rick Martinez and Lieutenant Dan Flippo. Here they all are in the picture I cropped above :-)
Please join the entire staff of the Santa
Cruz Police Department in congratulating Officers Ryan Kiar and Brad Burruel!
