The driver arrested in a Deerfield Beach hit-and-run crash that killed a Pompano Beach man attempted to hide his beige 1995 Toyota Camry at a relative’s home, the Broward Sheriff’s Office said in an arrest report released Monday.
Edward Thomas, 30, told authorities that he was aware he had struck something but wasn’t sure what he had struck in the crash, which occurred on the 800 block of West Sample Road on Sept. 1 at about 3 a.m., the arrest report said.
Jorge Escalante, 29, who was crossing the westbound lanes, was struck and died on the scene, according to the BSO.
Thomas told authorities that he was involved in a traffic crash on West Sample Road, the report said. Afterward, he returned to his Deerfield Beach home, it said.
A Crime Stoppers tip led to the discovery of the suspect vehicle, which was covered with a clear plastic tarp, parked behind a residence at 1784 Northeast 50th Court in Pompano Beach on Friday, the report said. Evidence on the windshield and the driver’s side “A” pillar of the car was consistent with it striking a pedestrian, and matched evidence from the crash scene, according to the report.
The owner of the residence, Onan Perez, told authorities that Thomas was the vehicle’s driver, and Perez and Thomas later contacted a detective before Thomas gave his statement Friday night, the report said.
Thomas, who faces charges of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injuries and driving with a suspended license, was arrested Friday and released Saturday on $2,500 bond, according to the BSO. It wasn’t immediately known whether he has an attorney.
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