Boy dies a week after fatal incident, man charged

aley@themonitor.com

SULLIVAN CITY - The driver in a suspected hit-and-run that led to the Monday death of a young bicyclist now faces criminal charges, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Miguel Angel Rodriguez, of Sullivan City, is charged with failure to stop and render aid in connection with the incident that sent Danny Vasquez, 11, to the hospital with serious head injuries, said Trooper Johnny Hernandez, a local DPS spokesman.

Rodriguez likely will not face manslaughter charges, however, because the boy failed to yield the right of way to him, according to DPS.

Hernandez said Rodriguez struck the boy last week on Amarillo Street, but the trooper could not immediately say what day the incident occurred.

Vasquez was taken off life support Monday and died at Driscoll Children's Hospital in Corpus Christi.

Rodriguez was arraigned and taken to the Hidalgo County Jail the day after the incident.

A jail employee confirmed Rodriguez was no longer in custody as of Tuesday afternoon, but his bond information was not immediately available.

Rodriguez's charge is a third-degree felony. If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a possible fine of up to $10,000.

Hernandez said Rodriguez did not appear to be driving recklessly or operating his vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Efforts to find a listed phone number for Rodriguez were unsuccessful. Calls to phone listings of potential relatives of the boy were unanswered Tuesday afternoon.

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