Veering SUV struck, killed 85-year-old man, then fled scene, Elk Grove police say

A hit-and-run crash killed an 85-year-old pedestrian Thursday night, closing Waterman Road near Sheldon and Brown roads as officers investigated, according to the Elk Grove Police Department.

The victim was identified Friday by the coroner’s office as Edward Villasenor of Elk Grove. Several TV stations reported that Villasenor, a former landscaping contractor, was celebrating his 49th wedding anniversary before being struck.

Officers responded to the area just after 6 p.m. Thursday after receiving reports of a person lying in the roadway who had been hit by a vehicle, the Elk Grove Police Department said Friday in a news release.

Investigators believe the victim was standing on the west shoulder of Waterman Road when the vehicle, traveling northbound, suddenly veered across the roadway, striking him, according to the news release.

The vehicle is described as a red SUV with front-end damage that was last seen driving west on Calvine Road, Elk Grove police said in a tweet. Based on evidence gathered from the scene, investigators say the vehicle may be a late 1980s or early 2000s model GMC or Chevrolet SUV.

The victim has been described as an 85-year-old man, according to Elk Grove police. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police urge anyone who sees the vehicle to call 911.

This story was originally published November 7, 2019 at 8:20 PM.