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Rochester, MN (KROC AM) - A woman was hit by a car while walking near the Mayo Civic Center Tuesday and the driver fled the scene but thanks to witnesses, he was located and arrested.

And he may also be facing a rare criminal charge.

Rochester Police Capt. Casey Moilanen says the 58-year-old Mantorville woman was in a crosswalk on E. Center St when she was struck around 2 pm. The impact caused one of her boots to fly off. The woman was taken to the hospital to be checked out.

Moilanen says witnesses were able to give a good description of the car and one even began following it. A short while later officers found the car and arrested the driver, identified as 21-year-old Carson Zavala. He had a Burnsville address.

Olmsted County ADC
Olmsted County ADC
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He told officers he became distracted by his passenger and his foot came off the brake just before hitting the woman. Moilanen says Zavala told officers the passenger told him to take off. He is facing expected charges of hit and run and no driver’s license.

Because he was wearing a bulletproof vest he may face another charge. It’s illegal to wear a protective vest in Minnesota while committing a crime.

Moilanen says Zavala told the officer he was from Florida and was apparently wearing the vest to keep warm.

News update:  Five Twin Cities gangbangers are facing federal charges for a series of violent crimes.

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