Vacaville police on Monday night arrested a 22-year-old Vacaville man — and are still searching for the driver of a second vehicle — who raced on Interstate 80, exited in Vacaville and crashed into two unsuspecting drivers, sending one to the hospital.
Alexis Nieto Salinas was taken into custody and booked into Solano County Jail on suspicion of a motor vehicle exhibiton of speed on a highway and driving a vehicle with willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property, both misdemeanors, Lt. Chris Lechuga said Wednesday, updating Tuesday’s department social media account of the collision. Also, Salinas’ vehicle was impounded for 30 days, he added.
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A check of jail records Wednesday indicated that Salinas was no longer in custody and apparently made bail. Additionally, Solano County Superior Court records did not indicate that a criminal complaint had been filed by midafternoon Wednesday; however, the records did show that Salinas was charged in Aug. 23, 2023, with unsafe speed for prevailing conditions and was convicted on Nov. 22.
According to the department’s social media post, just after 8 p.m. Monday, two drivers were traveling on Peabody Road near Cliffside Drive when a black Mustang driven by Salinas and a Corvette “came barreling down the Cliffside Drive off-ramp from I-80.”
An investigation revealed the Mustang and Corvette had been racing moments earlier on eastbound I-80, just before the crash.
The post included 18 seconds of dramatic video caught on street surveillance cameras, supporting the police department’s account.
In the video, Salinas can be seen losing control of the Mustang while trying to make the turn and colliding with both vehicles, “sending glass and plastic flying and causing significant damage,” the post reads.
Lechuga confirmed one of the victims at the intersection was transported to a local hospital and treated for nonlife-threatening injuries.
Lechuga also confirmed that police investigators are following up on information about the Corvette seen in the video, adding, “When that vehicle is found, we’ll provide an update.”
Anyone with information about the Corvette or the collision is asked to call Vacaville Police Officer Todd Huffaker at (707) 449-5200.
As part of the social media post, police officials thanked community members who stopped to help the victims immediately following the crash, adding, “Your compassion is just one more reason Vacaville remains a strong, caring place to live.”