2 children injured, driver arrested in hit-and-run crash in Merced County, police say

A 23-year-old Atwater woman was arrested Wednesday after police said she struck two young children with her car and drove away from the scene.

A 4-year-old boy was flown to Fresno hospital with injuries to his head, back and arm and a 2-year-old girl was taken to Mercy Medical Center in Merced for “road rash injuries” to her leg, according to Atwater police. An update on the condition of the two children was not available.

Officers were called around 5 p.m. to the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 2600 block of Atwater Boulevard. Investigators said the driver of a 1995 Honda Civic, later identified by police as Billie G. Valencia, was backing up in the parking lot when the car struck the two children, who were playing in the parking lot.

Police Chief Samuel Joseph said Valencia “may have panicked” when she drove away from the scene. Joseph said the children became stuck underneath the car and were dragged a short distance before the driver made it away from the scene.

She returned to the parking lot a short time later after receiving a phone call from a family member, according to police.

“The driver acknowledged backing into the juveniles and made a statement to the effect that she was sorry and (had) fled the scene,” Joseph said.

Valencia was booked into the Merced County Jail on suspicion of hit-and-run, causing injury, which is a felony, and driving infraction. She posted bail and was released from custody late Wednesday night, according to booking records.

This story was originally published October 19, 2017 at 10:15 AM with the headline "2 children injured, driver arrested in hit-and-run crash in Merced County, police say."