Sonora Woman Arrested for Hit-and-Run

Police used local news cameras to track the suspect's vehicle after the collision.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A 29-year-old Sonora woman named Jacqueline Leach was arrested for a hit-and-run incident in Sonora, California that resulted in injuries. Police were able to track Leach's vehicle using live cameras from the local news website mymotherlode.com and coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to locate her at a nearby casino.

Why it matters

Hit-and-run incidents are a serious public safety concern, as they leave victims without aid and can result in further injuries or even fatalities. The use of live news cameras to assist in tracking down suspects highlights how technology is playing an increasing role in law enforcement efforts to address these types of crimes.

The details

According to police, a recent call reported a hit-and-run collision on Mono Way near Hospital Road in Sonora. When officers arrived, only one vehicle remained at the scene - a white Chevrolet Tahoe. Officer Johnson then checked the mymotherlode.com live cameras and spotted the SUV speeding away towards Jamestown. A Be On The Lookout (BOLO) was issued to other agencies, and the California Highway Patrol and Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office joined the pursuit. The SUV was eventually located parked in the valet section of Chicken Ranch Casino, and surveillance footage identified the driver as Jacqueline Leach, who turned herself in to police two days later.

  • The hit-and-run incident occurred on Mono Way near Hospital Road in Sonora.
  • Officer Johnson spotted the suspect vehicle on mymotherlode.com live cameras as it fled the scene.
  • The suspect vehicle was located parked at Chicken Ranch Casino.

The players

Jacqueline Leach

A 29-year-old woman from Sonora, California who was arrested for the hit-and-run incident.

Officer Johnson

A Sonora police officer who used mymotherlode.com's live cameras to track the suspect vehicle after the collision.

California Highway Patrol

Law enforcement agency that assisted in the pursuit of the suspect vehicle.

Tuolumne County Sheriff's Office

Law enforcement agency that also joined in the pursuit of the suspect vehicle.

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The takeaway

This case highlights the growing role of technology, such as live news cameras, in assisting law enforcement efforts to apprehend hit-and-run suspects and improve public safety. It also underscores the importance of drivers remaining at the scene of an accident to provide aid and information to authorities.