Driver charged in pedestrian accident

By Raisa Habersham

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The driver who allegedly hit a 21-year-old pedestrian in Marietta has been charged in the incident, Marietta police said Thursday.

Catalina Santana-Valdez, 56, is charged with driving without a license and failure to yield to a pedestrian, officer Michael Gardner said.

Gardner said an additional charge of serious injury by a motor vehicle is pending due to the condition of the victim.

Santana-Valdez hit the woman, whose name has not been released, Wednesday at the intersection of Powder Springs Street and Bellemeade Drive, police said.

The victim was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital and was in critical condition. Gardner said she seemed to be improving, but did not state her condition.

The accident is being investigated by Marietta Police.