Man charged in Saratoga hit and run

Late in the evening on Feb. 7 a pedestrian in Saratoga was allegedly hit from behind by a truck on the west end of Main St. According to an affidavit, the driver was intoxicated and left the scene. The man hit was taken to Memorial Hospital of Carbon County.

Rodrigo Pinedo-Madera, 48, of Saratoga, was charged with three felony and two misdemeanor counts stemming from the incident. The felony charges include Driving While Under the Influence with Serious Bodily Injury, Driving While Under the Influence (3rd Offense in ten (10) Years) and Aggravated Assault and Battery. The misdemeanor charges are Duty to Stop Vehicle Where Accident Involves Death or Personal Injury and Reckless Driving.

An affidavit written by Saratoga Police Officer Jerry Black states that the injured party was hit near 8th and Main and was flung approximately 10 feet. When police made contact with the injured man he was reportedly bleeding from the forehead, nose and right hand and was complaining of pain in his left ribs.

The affidavit states that later on the night of Feb. 7 police found two large pools of blood at the scene along with broken pieces of chrome trim from a vehicle. The police were later able to match the broken pieces of trim to a white Chevy truck parked outside of Mr. Pinedo-Madera’s residence.

After Mr. Pinedo-Madera went to the Saratoga Police station he talked with an officer after being read his rights per Miranda. Pinedo-Madera was placed under arrest and transported to the Carbon County Detention Center on Feb. 8, according to the affidavit.