Morgan Hill police are requesting the public’s help in identifying the suspect responsible for the numerous injuries sustained by Morgan Hill resident Joshua Valdez.
Police reportedly discovered Valdez, 22, unconscious, near the intersection of San Pedro Avenue and Butterfield Boulevard in Morgan Hill at about 1 a.m. Saturday while responding to another call, Morgan Hill police Sgt. Troy Hoefling said.
“We didnt’ know if he was just drunk passed-out or what, so we called paramedics to check him out and they found road rash, which are large deep scrape marks, on his back,” Hoefling said. “And once at the hospital they found additional injuries.”
The extent of Valdez’ injuries, which include a broken leg, broken pelvis, fluid in the lungs, and injuries to his back, collar bones, ribs and head, lead police to suspect Valdez may be the victim of a hit-and-run accident.
“Due to the fact that he has so many injuries, we’re leaning toward the fact that it’s a hit-and-run,” Hoefling said. “I don’t think you can get beat up and have those types of injuries all in conjunction with one another.”
Valdez was transported to San Jose Regional Medical Center, where he remains unconscious and in critical condition, Hoefling said.
Valdez reportedly spoke to his mother at about 11:30 p.m., Friday, and told her he’d be returning shortly after walking a friend home. He reportedly parted ways with his friend near the intersection of Church Street and San Pedro Avenue, and continued walking east on San Pedro Avenue by himself, Hoefling said.
Although police suspect a hit-and-run may be responsible for Valdez’ injuries, they’re not ruling out other possibilities, like being beaten up, because of the lack of evidence in the investigation.
“Anything’s still possible. We have nothing to suggest he’s been [followed] and we have nothing to suggest he’s been hit by a car either, except for the road rash,” Hoefling said. “I’m trying to put two-and-two together as to what happened, [but] we don’t have witnesses or anything. There’s nobody that saw him get beat up or hit by a car.”
Police are asking anyone with information about the incident to call Morgan Hill Police at (408) 779-2101.
