MIAMI (WSVN) - Police have made an arrest in connection to a hit-and-run that killed an elderly woman.
Miami Police arrested 25-year-old Ricardo Alexander Gonzalez, Thursday morning. Gonzalez faces charges in connection to the death of 76-year-old Hilda Garcia.
Garcia was killed Sunday night around 10:15 p.m. after she was hit while crossing the road near Northwest 37th Avenue and Ninth Street. Garcia was dragged between 80 and 100 feet.
According to an arrest report, Gonzalez was spotted by a neighbor damaging the car said to be involved in the crash. When asked what he was doing, Gonzalez said not to worry because it was his vehicle.
Gonzalez then reportedly sold his car to a junkyard.
Investigators said Gonzalez ultimately turned himself in to police in the middle of Caribe Restaurant.
“He just went up and approached the cops,” said Henry Iraheta, a restaurant employee. “He was just crying, literally just sheds of tears coming down.”
In his interview with investigators, police said Gonzalez told them he had smoked marijuana before the crash, and “that he felt buzzed, but was fine to drive because he has always driven buzzed and never hit anyone before.”
Gonzalez has been charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of an accident and tampering with evidence.
News of Gonzalez’s arrest gave a sense of peace to Garcia’s family.
“My family is happy because that person is in jail right now,” said Miraya Bolanos, Garcia’s sister. “My sister is dead right now, but that person don’t kill anymore — another life in the street. I give you the message, I’m sorry, but you have to pay for it.”
Funeral services have been planned for Garcia this coming weekend.
Gonzalez is being held on a bond of $210,000. If he does bond out, he will be placed on house arrest, and he will not be allowed to drink or drive.
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