Father of Hit-and-Run Suspect Arrested After Victim Dies

Santa Rosa police have arrested Rafael Vasquez, 49, on suspicion of being an accessory after the fact in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident. This arrest follows the death of 33-year-old Mahlon Weaver, who was struck by a vehicle on August 1. Investigators allege that Vasquez assisted his daughter, 19-year-old Alejandra Vasquez, in concealing the vehicle involved in the crash. The hit-and-run occurred on Hearn Avenue, near the SMART tracks, where video footage captured the driver stopping briefly after hitting Weaver but failing to exit the vehicle. After approximately a minute, the driver fled the scene. Police utilized the vehicle's registered address to locate the suspect, leading them to the 1900 block of Blue Sky Lane. Upon investigation, authorities discovered that Alejandra Vasquez had been involved in the crash, with the vehicle parked in her garage. She was subsequently arrested and charged with felony hit-and-run causing serious injury. Rafael Vasquez was booked into the Sonoma County Jail, where he faces charges related to his alleged role in aiding his daughter after the incident. The case highlights the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the hit-and-run, as police continue to gather evidence and seek justice for the victim.