Crime & Safety

Soquel Woman Arrested for Cyclist's Death

Noel Hamilton, 31, was hit and killed on Soquel San Jose Road the night of June 27.

A 33-year-old Soquel woman was arrested Tuesday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run collision in Santa Cruz two months ago, according to the California Highway Patrol.

Sundara Wertz was booked into Santa Cruz County Jail on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter and hit-and-run, the CHP said.

She is suspected of driving a white 1999 Infiniti QX4 that struck and killed Noel Hamilton, 31, as he was riding his bicycle on June 27, according to the CHP.

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

At about 10:10 p.m. that evening, Wertz's Infiniti was going north on Soquel-San Jose Road when it allegedly collided with Hamilton, who was also traveling north on his bike.

Hamilton, a Soquel resident, was pronounced dead on the road.

Find out what's happening in Capitola-Soquelwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Wertz initially fled the scene and then returned to provide a
statement to CHP officers.

She surrendered to officers at about 4 p.m. at Santa Cruz County Jail following a CHP investigation that found she was responsible for the crash.

If convicted, Wertz could face punishments ranging from probation to a state prison sentence.

—Bay City News


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