INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Metropolitan Police have arrested a 22-year-old man a week after police said he fled from a crash that left a 4-year-old boy dead and two others, including the child's father, critically injured.
The suspect is now facing three counts of leaving the scene of an accident, including causing death and reckless homicide.
Last week, IMPD responded to the intersection of South State Avenue and East Raymond Street on the southeast side of Indianapolis around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday.
Officers at the scene found that at least two cars and a bicycle were involved in the crash.
Officers at the scene say preliminary investigations indicate a Charger traveling eastbound at a high speed blew through the red light, striking a car going through the intersection with the green light.
The Charger also struck a bicyclist with a tow-behind child seat attachment. 4-year-old Alan Marcelo Salas-Garcia was taken to Riley Hospital and pronounced deceased at 10 p.m.
The father of the child, who was operating the bicycle, and the driver of the other car, an adult female, were both taken to an area hospital in critical condition.
According to court documents, the woman suffered a broken neck and at least three fractured vertebrae in her lower back. Her family says she can walk a small amount but will need surgery to repair broken bones near her spinal cord.
The suspect fled the area on foot. Detectives were unsuccessful at locating the suspect at that time. However, after speaking to several witnesses, viewing video footage, and examining evidence at the scene, investigators identified the 22-year-old.
According to a probable cause affidavit, detectives found his Charger was going 80 mph at the intersection with a speed limit of 40 mph.
On Tuesday, detectives took him into custody. He was arrested for reckless homicide, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, leaving the scene of an accident involving catastrophic injuries, and leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury.
“I am heartbroken by the loss of Alan Marcelo Salas-Garcia, and my deepest sympathies go out to his family, friends, and all who loved him. No arrest can bring back a life so tragically cut short, and I know this is far from closure. But I hope this step brings some measure of comfort, knowing the individual responsible is no longer freely walking our streets,” said Chief Chris Bailey.
“I want to thank the dedicated officers and detectives who worked day and night to identify this individual and bring him into custody,” he added. “My thoughts remain with the other two victims and their families, whose lives have also been forever changed by this tragic incident.”
