Dennis RomeroA teen skateboarder who allegedly raced through a California stop sign broadsided an old lady in a crosswalk, leading to her death, authorities say.
The 17-year-old from nearby Santa Cruz, who was not ID'd, wasn't arrested. The 83-year-old pedestrian, identified as Maryann Slettehaugh, was helicoptered to a hospital, where she died late Tuesday.
It all happened …
… Tuesday afternoon at Cliff Drive and Wharf Road in Capitola, California, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel.
Cliff Drive and Wharf Road in Capitola.; Credit: Michael Patrick
The teen was said to be rolling at 15 to 20 miles per hour when he cruised past a box truck stopped at the intersection, ostensibly to let the old lady stroll by in the crosswalk, when he struck her.
According to the Sentinel, the skater actually tried to stop and jumped off his board last-minute only to broadside the woman, knocking her unconscious. He tried to help, but it was too late.
Cops say it's illegal to skate in that part of Capitola — the “Village” — “for this exact reason” — in the words of Sgt. Andrew Dally.
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