Man Accused Of Driving Recklessly, Killing Pedestrian, Fleeing Scene In Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - A 37-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash in Southwest Detroit.
Jorge Gabiel Vallecillo-Espinoza is accused of driving recklessly — in the area of Junction and Federal Streets just south of Michigan Ave. — at 10:25 p.m. on Aug. 6, striking and killing 53-year-old Joseph Rutherford of Detroit with his Buick Rendezvous.
Rutherford, who was on foot, was found dead in the street.
According to the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office, Vallecillo-Espinoza didn't stop following the collision, fleeing the scene. He was then caught on security camera, police said, as he stopped at a nearby liquor store shortly after the incident.
Prosecutors said, following an investigation, Detroit police were able to identify Vallecillo-Espinoza as the culprit and take him into custody.
Vallecillo-Espinoza has been charged with reckless driving causing death and failure to remain on the scene of a fatal car incident. A $75,000. 10 percent bond was set at an arraignment in 36th District Court Monday afternoon.
He will be back in court for a preliminary examination on Aug. 28.
