Drunk Driver Arrested After 3 Hit-and-Run Crashes in San Luis Obispo

Rovasha Underwood faces multiple charges including DUI, hit-and-run, and battery on police officers.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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San Luis Obispo police arrested a 36-year-old man named Rovasha Underwood on Wednesday afternoon after he was allegedly involved in three separate hit-and-run crashes while driving under the influence. Officers located Underwood's sedan with a flat tire in a parking lot, where they found numerous empty alcohol bottles and narcotics paraphernalia inside the vehicle. During the arrest, Underwood kicked and spit at the officers.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run crashes are a major public safety concern in San Luis Obispo, with the city seeing an increase in such incidents in recent years. This case highlights the dangers posed by drunk drivers who flee the scene of collisions, putting other motorists, pedestrians, and law enforcement at risk.

The details

According to police, the first 9-1-1 call reported that Underwood's sedan had hit a car near California Boulevard and Monterey Street and then drove away. As officers responded, a second caller reported the sedan had hit another car at the intersection of San Luis Drive and Johnson Avenue. A third caller then reported a hit-and-run crash at Foothill Boulevard and Santa Rosa Street. Officers located Underwood's vehicle, which had a flat tire, in the parking lot of a taqueria on Santa Rosa Street. Inside the car, they found numerous empty alcohol bottles and narcotics paraphernalia.

  • Shortly before 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26, 2026, the first 9-1-1 call was received.

The players

Rovasha Underwood

A 36-year-old man who was arrested by San Luis Obispo police for suspected DUI, three counts of felony hit-and-run, misdemeanor possession of narcotics paraphernalia, and battery on a police officer.

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What’s next

The judge will decide on Tuesday whether to allow Rovasha Underwood to be released on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the urgent need for stronger enforcement and penalties to deter drunk driving and hit-and-run incidents in San Luis Obispo, in order to protect the safety of all residents and visitors.