Suspect arrested after driver allegedly strikes, runs over man on Santa Fe Avenue in Merced

Authorities have arrested a suspect accused of striking a man with a vehicle Thursday afternoon on West Santa Fe Avenue.

Devin Jacob Badillo, 24, of Winton, was arrested and booked into Merced County Jail on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon after he was identified as the driver of a vehicle that struck a man in the 800 block of West Santa Fe Avenue, according to the Merced Police Department.

Police responded to the scene at 12:29 p.m. for a fight in progress. Police said the victim was struck with the vehicle at the end of the fight. The driver fled the scene in the vehicle before officers arrived.

Detectives determined Badillo intentionally struck the victim with his vehicle. He was arrested by detectives and Gang Violence Suppression Unit officers at his residence, according to police.

The victim was taken to a regional trauma center with moderate injuries.

Merced police ask anyone with information to contact Detective Patrick Radke at 209-385-7725 or by email at radkep@cityofmerced.org.

Some crimes can be reported to police through the Merced Police Department website and anonymous tips can be submitted by calling 209-385-4725.

Anonymous tips can also be submitted to law enforcement through the Merced Area Crime Stoppers website.

This story was originally published January 6, 2022 at 2:21 PM.