Donna man arraigned in hit-and-run accident of cyclist

DONNA - A 26-year-old Donna man was arraigned Monday in a hit-and-run accident that killed a man walking his bicycle along the Expressway 83 frontage road.

Jose Luis Ramirez, of Donna, is accused of leaving the man on the side of the road after the accident about 8 p.m. Sunday near Golie Road, Detective Raymundo Ramos said.

The victim was not carrying identification; police are using fingerprints to find out who he was.

Police believe the man was pushing a bicycle along the road, picking up aluminum cans, when he was struck.

It was unknown Monday whether he was walking on the street or along the curb.

Ramirez told police he was driving eastbound on the frontage road in the far right lane when he struck something, Ramos said. Ramirez parked his car to investigate and noticed the man lying in the grass.

He ran to the man, who had blood covering his face, and asked him whether he was OK, Ramos said. When he didn't get a response, Ramos ran back to his vehicle and drove to a nearby friend's house.

Ramos said Ramirez told police he panicked because his vehicle registration and inspection sticker were expired.

Another driver on the frontage road who saw the accident notified police, who were dispatched at 7:38 p.m.

Ramirez turned himself in to police about three hours later after consulting with his parents, who escorted him to the police station, Ramos said. He was questioned and taken into police custody.

Ramirez was given a blood test to determine whether he was intoxicated at the time of the accident, Ramos said.

Police are still asking for help to identify the deceased man. He was described as a 40- to 50-year-old Hispanic man with a medium complexion and salt-and-pepper hair who stood about 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighed about 150 pounds.

Anyone with information about his identity is asked to call the Mercedes Police Department at 956-464-4481.