Norristown Driver Who Fled Scene Of Fatal Crash Turns Himself In: DA

NORRISTOWN, PA — The Norristown man who police said struck and killed a man., fled the scene, and hid the vehicle turned himself into authorities over the weekend.

Jean Carlos Emeraldas Cruz, 26, of DeKalb Street was charged with accidents involving death, failure to stop and render death, and related counts. A warrant was issued for his arrest three days prior to when he turned himself in.

The incident occurred on Sunday, May 19 at around 10:48 p.m. on the 300 block of West Main Street.

Cruz was heading east in his black Hyundai Santa Fe when he struck 57-year-old Brian Clark, also of Norristown, police said. Cruz then fled the area at a high rate of speed down Main Street, before turning onto Markley Street.

Investigators found that Cruz and his passenger hid the vehicle on East Wood Street after the crash, then walked back to the scene on foot to watch detectives looking over the scene, according to the District Attorney's Office.

The pair was also watching when detectives ultimately found Cruz's SUV, the DA added.

Clark was taken to Einstein Montgomery Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly thereafter.

Cruz was booked on $100,000 bail. A preliminary hearing is set for June 7.