UPDATE: Atascadero police arrest suspect in injury hit-and-run collision

By Staff Report · Thu Jul 23 2026

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Police Department has arrested a 22-year-old Atascadero man accused of fleeing the scene of an injury collision involving a scooter rider Wednesday evening.

Officers responded at approximately 5 p.m. on July 22 to the 7100 block of El Camino Real following reports of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a scooter. Upon arrival, officers determined one person had sustained moderate injuries and the driver of one of the involved vehicles had fled the scene.

According to an update from the Atascadero Police Department, the driver fled in his vehicle and was involved in a second collision near the intersection of Curbaril Avenue and San Luis Avenue. The second collision did not involve any other motorists.

Following the crash, the driver fled on foot into a nearby business, where he was located and detained by responding officers.

The injured scooter rider was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The suspect was identified as Rafael Angeles Morales, 22, of Atascadero. He was arrested on suspicion of felony hit-and-run causing injury (20001(a) VC), DUI causing injury and driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08% or greater (23153(a)(b) VC), and misdemeanor hit-and-run (20002(a) VC).

Angeles Morales was transported to the San Luis Obispo County Jail.

The collision remains under investigation. Anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information is asked to contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.

ORIGINAL STORY:

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Police Department is investigating a hit-and-run collision that left a scooter rider with moderate injuries Wednesday evening.

Officers responded at approximately 5 p.m. on July 22 to the 7100 block of El Camino Real following reports of a traffic collision involving a vehicle and a scooter.

Upon arrival, officers determined one person had sustained moderate injuries and the driver of one of the involved vehicles had fled the scene on foot. Officers later located and detained the suspected motorist near the intersection of Curbaril Avenue and San Luis Avenue.

The injured party was transported by ambulance to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. The collision remains under investigation, and officers processed the scene.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has information is asked to contact the Atascadero Police Department at (805) 461-5051.