Soquel business owner dies after being struck by car in downtown Santa Cruz

A Soquel business owner struck by a car in downtown Santa Cruz last month has died, according to family members.

Family members told NewsChannel 5 that Adolfo Galvan, 70, of Las Lomas died Thursday night from injuries he suffered in the Aug. 24 collision.

The Army veteran and father of three had run Fargoe Glass in Soquel for some 40 years, family members said.

Galvan was crossing Pacific Avenue around 4:30 p.m. when he was struck by a passing car, which fled without stopping. He was air-lifted to a Bay Area trauma center in “extremely critical condition,” according to Santa Cruz police.

Police were able to use witness reports and surveillance footage to track the suspect vehicle to a nearby motel parking lot. The person police say was driving, 29-year-old Joanna Steele of Oakland, was allegedly caught on surveillance footage buying alcohol at a nearby liquor store shortly before the crash. The owner of the car, Steele’s fiance, told police he had been asleep and knew nothing of a collision.

Steele was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run and booked into Santa Cruz County Jail. Results of toxicology tests have not been released.

Steele, who bailed out of jail, is scheduled to be arraigned. With Galvan’s death, she could face more charges.

Galvan’s family has started an online fundraising site to help with his medical bills and they’re asking the Santa Cruz County District Attorney’s Office to file the maximum charges against Steele.