Camaro Driver Arrested for Hit-and-Run Incident on Bicyclist

SAN ANGELO, TX — At approximately 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 15, San Angelo Public Safety Communications received a call in reference to the suspect vehicle from Friday’s hit and run crash with a bicyclist on Link road. The caller stated there was a car in the Double Dave’s Pizza parking lot, 3536 Knickerbocker Rd. that may match the description of the same car police were looking for.

Officers responded to the location and located a dark colored, 2014 Chevrolet two-door Camaro with the same unique stickers mentioned in the initial SAPD press release asking for citizens’ help.

The vehicle’s driver, Matias Escalante, 51, of San Angelo, was located inside the restaurant. 

The Department’s Hit and Run Investigator, Stephen Quade, responded to the location and spoke with Escalante about the crash and his involvement.  The Camaro was processed for evidence at the scene before it was released.

This morning, Officer Quade obtained a warrant for Escalante’s arrest for the charge of Accident Involving Serious Bodily Injury, a third Degree Felony. 

The warrant, issued by Justice of the Peace Judge Eddie Howard, named Escalante as the driver who struck 49-year-old bicyclist Pedro Lozano Jr. in the 5400 block of Link Road on March 10, causing serious bodily injury.  The complaint further stated Escalante left the scene without rendering reasonable assistance to Lozano even though Escalante had knowledge of the crash.   

This afternoon, Escalante was located and arrested at his residence in the 3400 block of Arden Road and transported to the Tom Green County Jail without incident.

Lozano, the victim who was transported to San Angelo Community Medical Center for treatment of incapacitating injuries after the crash, was released this morning.

The SAPD thanked the public for assisting them by sharing information about this case, which ultimately led to the vehicle being located so quickly.