Police: Man arrested for hit-and-run that killed 4 year old, critically injured 2

INDIANAPOLIS — An Indianapolis man was arrested after allegedly leaving the scene of a crash that killed a 4-year-old child and critically injured two adults on the near southeast side.

Riding in a trailer seat towed behind his dad’s bike, 4-year-old Alan Marcelo Salas-Garcia lost his life last Wednesday night after being hit by a speeding Dodge Charger at the intersection of State avenue and Raymond street.

The child’s father was also critically wounded.

A female driver of a gray Honda suffered a broken neck after being struck by the Charger as well.

Police now claim 22-year-old Danny Wimbleduff jumped out of the crashed charger and fled the scene on foot.

“You’ll never bring that life back, but it’s nice to know that person is going to be held accountable,” said IMPD officer Tommy Thompson.

Wimbleduff 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 Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief, Chris Bailey.

IMPD Southeast District officers were dispatched to S. State Ave. and E. Raymond St. on Wednesday, May 7, at approximately 9 p.m. on a report of a personal injury accident.

Upon arrival, law enforcement located a crash involving two vehicles and a bicyclist pulling a bike trailer.

Authorities learned from witnesses that the suspect was driving a Dodge Charger and had fled the area on foot, according to IMPD. The officers canvassed the location, but suspended the search after the suspect was unable to be found.

According to court records, the registered owner of the suspect’s Charger insisted he previously sold the car to someone on Facebook.

Inside the car police found a box of newly purchased brake parts.  Police used those parts to help track down Wimbleduff.

Police say data recovered from the Charger shows the suspect was driving 80 miles per hour when he ran through a red light on Raymond.

That is twice the posted speed limit and that’s why IMPD agrees with the message on a small makeshift memorial at the scene urging drivers to slow down and drive safely.

“You are accountable for your actions.  You need to stay on scene.  It’s the law.  If you don’t, as we showed here, we will find you,” said Thompson.

“This incident right here is one of the worst things I’ve seen in my 3 years of doing this.  It’s so unbelievably tragic,” said Eric Holt with Safe Streets Indy.

Speaking about the tragic death last week, public safety advocates like Eric Holt also urged drivers to be responsible behind the wheel.

“Drivers have really kind of lost the plot,” said Holt.  “Driving is a privilege and it comes with a lot of responsibilities and one of those is if you’re involved in something like this, do the right thing and stop.”

“I want to thank the dedicated officers and detectives who worked day and night to identify this individual and bring him into custody,” Bailey said. “My thoughts remain with the other two victims and their families, whose lives have also been forever changed by this tragic incident.”

The fatal crash marked the 4th fatal hit-and-run IMPD has investigated so far this year.

That number is down significantly compared to last year when there were 31 hit-and-runs deaths for the entire year.

Wimbleduff has been placed on a 7 day hold pending the filing of formal charges by the prosecutor’s office.