Reward increased in Santa Rosa hit-and-run

The family of a man injured nearly three months ago by a hit-and-run driver in a white minivan or SUV has upped the reward for information about the unknown motorist to $15,000.

The investigation into the April 2 collision has been hampered by scarce details about the vehicle or driver.

Ronnie Remington, 46, of Santa Rosa was struck at about 7:55 a.m. by an eastbound white minivan or SUV as he crossed Bellevue Avenue near Dutton Avenue, Santa Rosa police officials said. Remington had just been to Dada’s Deli and was crossing the street to return to work at G&C Auto Body, according to his uncle and employer, Gene Crozat, who owns the shop.

Remington told police the vehicle hit him, then a wheel ran over his right foot and ankle, Sgt. Ryan Corcoran said. The driver paused after the collision, but then accelerated away, leaving him injured in the road.

The vehicle appeared to be a new white minivan or SUV with paper plates, Corcoran said. The driver reportedly had long brown hair.

Tips have not yet helped police identify a suspect. One witness led police to interview a woman in a white SUV with paper plates and inspect her vehicle. But detectives found no conclusive evidence she was involved in the collision, Corcoran said.

“The lack of a witness that saw the collision that can identify the driver, the lack of a positive ID of make and model of the vehicle - those are the challenges,” Corcoran said.

Crozat has tripled the reward offer since; one week after the collision, he offered $5,000 in cash for information leading to an arrest.

Anyone with information about the case can call the Santa Rosa Police Department’s traffic unit at 543-3636. Police asked that callers refer to Case No. 15-4328.

You can reach Staff Writer Julie Johnson at 521-5220 or julie.johnson@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @jjpressdem.