Botched robbery causes serious crash

Healdsburg resident Jose Nieto suffered serious injuries on
March 10 after a botched robbery led to a serious car crash on
Healdsburg Avenue.
Patricia Manning, 20, was arrested and booked into Sonoma County
Jail on charges of grand theft with a bail of $5,000 and violation
of probation after initially lying to police about the crash.
Police received multiple 911 calls at 1:51 p.m. reporting that a
car had struck a pedestrian on Healdsburg Avenue south of Mill
Street. According to Healdsburg police, witnesses said the car
pulled into Healdsburg Avenue traffic from a parking lot and was
struck by a panel truck heading southbound.
After the incident, Nieto was immediately taken to the hospital
while police closed Healdsburg Avenue from the 5-way at Mill Street
to the Highway 101 south onramp. The street remained closed for
more than 30 minutes.
A tow truck, ambulances and the fire department were all called
to the scene. When the stretch was reopened shortly after 2:30
p.m., one southbound lane remained closed while police continued
their investigation.
Manning originally claimed to be involved in a domestic dispute
in the car and initially identified the victim as “Jesus Espinoza.”
According to Healdsburg Police Sgt. Kevin Young, both statements
were false and Manning had actually been attempting to rob
Nieto.
Manning had apparently agreed to sell a car to Nieto, but after
Nieto gave Manning the money for the car, Manning attempted to
drive away with the car and the cash. Nieto tried to stop Manning
from leaving and was hanging onto the car, which led to the traffic
accident.
The case is being referred to the District Attorney’s
office.