The Turlock Police Department reports that they have arrested the driver suspected of hitting three children and their babysitter while they were crossing the road on Tuesday night.

Jose Valdivia, 66, was arrested for felony hit and run, said Turlock police spokesperson Officer Mayra Lewis.

According to the Turlock Police Department, Valdivia was unlicensed. 

Valdivia was allegedly traveling westbound in a white Honda on West Main Street when he struck three children and their 17-year-old babysitter as they were crossing the street.

The babysitter suffered serious injuries, but they appear to be non-life-threatening, according to authorities. She was transported to an area hospital following the collision.

One child suffered minor injuries to their mouth, but the other two were uninjured.

Following the collision, the driver fled the scene, but was chased down by a witness. Valdivia was ultimately apprehended by officers on Soderquist Road, near Park Street.

The good samaritan that followed Valdivia, Michael Alexander, said the driver backed up and drove away after the collision.

"Then I saw him back up like he was going to leave," said Alexander. "He almost ran the woman over while he backed up."

Alexander then jumped in his truck and chased the suspect around the block, eventually stopping the vehicle near the Turlock Memorial Park.

“He acted like he didn’t understand what had happened,” said Alexander adding that the suspect’s wife was yelling at him while he pointed at the vehicle’s broken windshield.

If you were a witness to this collision or have any information, please call, Officer Greg Roton at 209-668-5550 ext. 6743.