Hollister police Sunday arrested a Hollister man on suspicion of child endangerment following a hit-and-run wreck in the city when police realized the suspect had allowed his unlicensed son drive on an errand.
Police arrested Robert B. Nunez, 50, after the report of a hit-and-run shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday. That was after the man admitted he had allowed his 16-year-old son – behind the wheel during the accident – drive his 9-year-old son to get ice cream. Â
According to a police statement:
At about 12:50 am on March 9, Hollister Police Officers were driving southbound on Powell Street near South Street when they observed a vehicle approaching on Powell Street sideswipe a parked car and failed to stop. Officers quickly made a traffic stop on the vehicle on the 1100 block of Powel Street. Upon contacting the driver, they discovered the driver was an unlicensed 16 year-old. A 9 year old sibling was also in the car at the time.
Officers called the registered owner of the vehicle to the scene. Robert B. Nunez arrived and confirmed he allowed his 16 year-old child to drive his vehicle to take his 9 year-old child to buy ice cream.
While officers spoke with Nunez, they observed signs of Nunez possibly being under the influence of a controlled substance. After an evaluation at the scene he was arrested and transported to the San Benito County Jail. He was booked for allowing an unlicensed driver to drive his vehicle, child endangerment, being under the influence of a controlled substance and probation violation.
The Hollister Police Department would like to remind citizens it is a criminal violation to allow an unlicensed driver or a person with a suspended license to drive your vehicle. The owner of the vehicle has to make a reasonable effort to determine if the person has a license. It is a misdemeanor punishable by fine or imprisonment or both.
If anyone has information related to this investigation you can contact Officer Martinez at the Hollister Police Department at 831-636-4330. Persons wishing to remain anonymous may call WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME. Information provided to WeTip may qualify for a reward.
