Man arrested for alleged DUI hit-and-run in Encinitas

ENCINITAS (CNS) - A 30-year-old Solana Beach man was behind bars Wednesday on suspicion of DUI and felony hit-and-run after allegedly leaving a pedestrian severely injured near Moonlight Beach in Encinitas, authorities said.

The victim was struck by a black Ford Fusion that veered off the roadway in the area of Vulcan Avenue and West D Street, then plowed into a transit station about 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, according to sheriff's officials.

Medics took the pedestrian, a man believed to be in his 40s, to a hospital for treatment of serious injuries, Deputy David Drake said.

Following the wreck, the man behind the wheel of the sedan — which also hit a tree and lost a wheel in the crash — jumped out and ran off, pursued by several witnesses, Drake said.

A short time later, a sheriff's sergeant who happened to be in the area stopped the fleeing suspect, identified as 30-year-old Matthew Christian Wilkie of Solana Beach, and took him into custody, the lieutenant said.

Wilkie was booked into Vista Detention Facility on suspicion of felony DUI and felony hit-and-run, according to jail records. He was being held in lieu of $100,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Feb. 19.