SAN DIEGO (CBS 8) - Authorities Wednesday announced the arrest of a hit-and- run suspect accused in the death of a Lincoln Park man killed near his home last week.
Darius Jordan Runnells, 22, turned himself in Tuesday afternoon and was booked into county jail on suspicion of fleeing after his car struck 57-year- old Ruben Meza of San Diego, according to police.
San Diego Police said Runnell's mother contacted them after her suspicions when she later heard about the hit-and-run just a block from her home.
"He did not return home and his mother became concerned - concerned he was involved in some kind of trouble, some kind of incident," said Lt. Scott Bender with San Diego Police.
Meza was walking away from his parked truck toward his apartment when a southbound sedan with black rims hit him at high speed in the 1200 block of South 47th Street about 8:15 p.m. last Wednesday, Lt. Scott Bender said. The motorist did not stop.
"I know it wasn't his fault and the way he went about it - I know he was scared," said Devine Johnson, Runnells' friend.
Medics took the victim to Scripps Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
"It's a tragedy. It's tragic and we mourn for the life that was lost here," said John Meals, Runnells' friend.
Runnells was booked into San Diego Central Jail on suspicion of hit-and- run causing death. He was being held on $100,000 bail pending arraignment, scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
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