San Luis Obispo Police Arrest 20-Year-Old in Hit-and-Run

San Luis Obispo Police Department arrested a 20-year-old man for his involvement in a hit and run case on January 8, 2026, authorities said in a statement. 

Two young women were seriously injured in the accident, police said. 

At 9:31 p.m., the police department responded to a report that two people had been hit by a car on the 100 block of Crandall Way while they were crossing the street. The driver of the vehicle did not stop at the scene and fled, leaving the injured victims behind, according to the statement. 

The two female victims, both aged 20, were taken to a local hospital, where they were treated for major but non-life-threatening injuries. 

The scene of the accident was closed off and the Severe Collision Investigation Detail (SCID) team was deployed to continue the field investigation, the police department said. 

Eyewitnesses described the suspect’s vehicle as a dark gray Tesla Model 3. The vehicle was located on the 3000 block of McCollum in the early morning hours, according to the statement. 

The suspect driver was identified as San Luis Obispo resident Ishan Pandhare, who was arrested for two counts of felony hit and run (California Vehicle Code 20001). Pandhare has been booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail, police said.

Hit and run is a serious criminal offense and can result in significant penalties. 

Under California Vehicle Code 20001, it is a crime to flee the scene of an accident in which a person has been injured or killed and is charged as a felony. 

If a person has been injured or killed, the driver can be charged either as a felony or misdemeanor. If the accident causes injury, the driver can be sentenced up to one year in jail with $1,000 to $10,000 in fines if charged as a misdemeanor, and up to three years in prison and $1,000 to $10,000 in fines if charged as a felony. 

Authorities shared images of the suspect’s Tesla involved in the hit and run. The car’s front portion, including the front fender, bumper area and head light, is visibly damaged and consistent with a recent collision. The windshield was also partially shattered suggesting that the car was involved in a forceful contact.  

The police said that the incident is still under investigation. Authorities have urged anyone with information about the case to contact Detective Marques at 805-594-8060 or submit an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers at 805-541-7867.