Two women hospitalized after being struck by vehicle in Escondido

ESCONDIDO (KUSI) – Two women were hospitalized Thursday after they were struck by a Cadillac driven by a man who attempted to run from the scene in Escondido.

According to Escondido police Lt. Ed Varso, the victims were on a sidewalk when they were struck around 4:05 p.m. at the intersection of Escondido Boulevard and Lincoln Avenue. 

Both were airlifted to a hospital, Varso said.

The driver of the Cadillac CTS, 21-year-old Joshua Villavicencio, ran from the scene, but was found two blocks away by an Escondido police detective. Villavicencio was taken into custody after a brief foot chase.

Villavicencio was being processed at Escondido police headquarters.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, but police believe alcohol was a factor, Varso said.

Anyone with information about the crash was urged to call Officer Steve Braucht of the Escondido police Traffic Division at (760) 839-4482.