Illegal Alien Sentenced for Fatal Hit-And-Run Near San Angelo

SAN ANGELO, TX – The illegal alien who left a man for dead on the Mertzon Highway was sentenced to five years in prison on Wednesday.

According to court documents, on May 31, 2020, deputies with the Tom Green County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to US Hwy 67 S., just two miles outside of the San Angelo city limits, for the report of a hit and run crash involving a pedestrian.

When Deputies, Troopers with the Department of Public Safety, fire and EMS arrived at the scene they found a hispanic male lying in the west bound lane of traffic.

A justice of the peace was then called to the scene and pronounced Jesus G Lopez deceased. 

Witnesses statements were then taken and deputies learned that Lopez had been walking eastbound in the westbound lane when he was hit by an unknown vehicle. Authorities searched the area and found black paint chips as well as a Chevrolet emblem that looked like it belonged to a truck.

The following day a doctor from the South Plains Forensic Pathology of Lubbock confirmed that Lopez died of visceral injuries and blunt impact trauma.

On June 3 the case began to pick up after Grogan's Farm and Ranch found video of the suspected vehicle. After this discovery they headed to Irion County to search for more video evidence.

While attempting to locate the footage, TGCSO Sergeants discovered a black Chevy Silverado with extensive front end damage at the Mertzon RV Park. Before actually searching the truck the noticed that the hood and grill had been removed. The rest of the truck was covered by a tarp but the deputies did find blood on the front bumper.