Crime & Safety
Driver To Be Released From Jail After Deadly Bel Air Hit-And-Run
A passenger reportedly called police and identified the driver in the crash that killed a pedestrian on Main Street in Bel Air.
BEL AIR, MD — The man charged in the deadly hit-and-run crash on Main Street in Bel Air will be released from custody following a bail review hearing Monday in Harford County District Court.
James Joshua Wallace, 26, of the 2500 block of Conowingo Road, was cited for offenses including failing to stop after a crash involving an injury or death.
Police identified him as the driver in the deadly crash that killed Alessandro "Alex" Lori, 24, on Wednesday.
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Lori was in the road on Main Street when he was hit by what witnesses said was a dark-colored truck that continued driving before 12:15 a.m. on July 1, according to police. Officials said Lori was dragged. It was not clear how he ended up in the road, and authorities say the investigation is ongoing.
A man who had been riding in Wallace's truck notified police the next day and said he thought they may have hit something, The Aegis reported. The two had been drinking at Steelefish Grill, gone to Looney's to find it closed, picked up more alcohol at a convenience store and were going to the passenger's home when "the passenger told police he heard a loud noise" while they were driving on Main Street, The Aegis reported, citing charging documents.
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Police said Wallace was arrested Thursday afternoon at his home.
When authorities looked, they found blood on the Ford F-150 pickup truck's bumper and back left tire as well as a dent on the bumper, according to The Aegis.
At his bail review, a judge told Wallace he may be allowed out on home detention provided he abstains from driving a vehicle, wears an alcohol monitoring bracelet and does not consume alcohol, The Aegis reported.
Wallace pleaded guilty in 2018 to driving under the influence in May 2017 in Chester County, Pa., according to Pennsylvania court records. He was ordered to undergo drug and alcohol evaluation, pay restitution, have his license suspended and perform community service.
In Harford County District Court on Monday, the judge ordered Wallace released on his own recognizance, court records show. The Harford County Detention Center's inmate locator shows he is still in custody Tuesday morning. A scheduling conference is slated for Aug. 18.
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