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Hearing set for fatal hit and run
Salas2c Rene
Rene Salas

A preliminary hearing for a Turlock man accused of a hit and run that killed a Turlock woman out for a walk with her husband has been set for November.

Rene Salas has been charged with a felony count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and a felony count of hit and run resulting in permanent injury or death. He’s also facing a misdemeanor charge of driving on a suspended license.

The Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office will present their evidence against Salas on Nov. 4. A preliminary hearing is to determine if there is enough cause to continue holding a defendant over for trial on the charges presented against him.

Salas is accused of being behind the wheel on the night of Jan. 9 in a collision that claimed the life of Elizabeth Mancha, 46, and injured Dave McThorn, 53. The couple had been out walking their dog at Summerfaire Park on Joett Drive when a Ford Mustang believed to have been driven by Salas, went out of control and drove up onto the sidewalk, striking Mancha and McThorn.

Mancha was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Ford, which was registered to Salas, fled the scene of the collision on foot. He was taken into custody days later.