Hearing rescheduled in Turlock fatal hit-and-run

A judge on Friday rescheduled a preliminary hearing to start Sept. 15 for a man accused of driving recklessly in Turlock and hitting two people, killing one of them.

Rene Salas, 51, of Turlock is charged with two felonies: vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and hit-and-run resulting in death. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of driving with a suspended or revoked license for a prior conviction of driving under the influence.

Authorities say Salas was driving a car that struck Elizabeth Mancha, 46, and her boyfriend. Mancha died at the scene, and her boyfriend suffered severe injuries. The couple was walking near the Stanislaus County Fairground in Turlock Jan. 9, 2014 when they were struck by a Ford Mustang.

The preliminary hearing is estimated to last a day. At the conclusion of the hearing, the judge will decide whether there is enough evidence for Salas to stand trial. The defendant remains in custody at the Stanislaus County Jail.

This story was originally published May 8, 2015 at 3:28 PM with the headline "Hearing rescheduled in Turlock fatal hit-and-run."