Berkeley Police Arrest Hit-and-Run Suspect in Felony Crash

Driver carried pedestrian on hood for 125 feet before victim fell into roadway

Apr. 17, 2026 at 11:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a cracked and scratched car side mirror, lit dramatically by a harsh flash against a dark background, conveying the stark, investigative nature of this hit-and-run incident.A harsh, gritty image of a damaged car part highlights the aftermath of a hit-and-run crash that left a pedestrian seriously injured.Berkeley Today

Berkeley police have arrested a 41-year-old man, Hector Juarez-Perez, in connection with a felony hit-and-run crash that seriously injured a pedestrian earlier this month. Security footage, Flock cameras, and witness statements helped police identify Juarez-Perez as the driver who struck the pedestrian, carried him on the hood of the car for 125 feet, and then fled the scene, leaving the victim with significant head and body injuries.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run crashes are a major public safety concern in Berkeley, with the city working to improve traffic safety and reduce pedestrian injuries. This arrest highlights the importance of security cameras, witness cooperation, and police investigation in holding drivers accountable for leaving the scene of a serious crash.

The details

According to police, on April 7th at around 8:10 pm, Juarez-Perez struck a pedestrian in his 20s who was crossing Adeline Street at Harmon Street. The impact threw the victim onto the hood of Juarez-Perez's black 2014 Toyota Camry, where he was carried for approximately 125 feet before falling back onto the roadway. Juarez-Perez did not stop and left the scene, leaving the victim unconscious with significant injuries.

  • The hit-and-run crash occurred on April 7, 2026 at around 8:10 pm.
  • Police arrested Juarez-Perez at his Berkeley home on Wednesday, April 16, 2026.

The players

Hector Juarez-Perez

A 41-year-old Berkeley resident who was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing injury.

The Pedestrian

A man in his 20s who was seriously injured when struck by Juarez-Perez's vehicle and thrown onto the hood, before falling back into the roadway.

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What they’re saying

“The impact threw the victim onto the vehicle's hood, where he was carried for approximately 125 feet before falling back onto the roadway. The driver did not stop and left the victim with significant head and body injuries.”

— Berkeley Police Department

What’s next

Police are still searching for Juarez-Perez's black 2014 Toyota Camry, which has a distinctive strip of tape on the passenger side where the rear bumper meets the quarter panel. Anyone with information on the car's location is asked to call Berkeley Police at 510-981-5900.

The takeaway

This hit-and-run case highlights the importance of security cameras, witness cooperation, and thorough police investigation in holding drivers accountable for leaving the scene of a serious crash. It also underscores the ongoing challenge of improving traffic safety and reducing pedestrian injuries in Berkeley.