Man Flees After Hitting Pedestrian, Caught Via License Plate Left Behind: Austin Police

EAST AUSTIN, TX — A motorist accused of fleeing after striking a pedestrian in East Austin — found by police after his front license plate was left behind after the impact — has been released from jail.

The incident stems from Saturday just before 3 a.m. when a a pedestrian crossing East 12th Street at Pleasant Valley Road on a protected right-of-way was struck by a vehicle, according to a report in the Austin American-Statesman. The force of the impact caused the pedestrian to fall and hit his head on the pavement, according to a subsequent affidavit.

The driver who fled the scene was later identified as Dejuan Strong, 24, who police said was behind the wheel that night, according to the report. According to the affidavit, the victim told police Strong initially did exit his vehicle to check on the victim's welfare. When the injured pedestrian failed to respond, Strong reportedly said "I have to go back to my car" before departing the scene, according to the affidavit. A witness corroborated the victim's account, according to the affidavit.

The victim was taken to the Dell Seton Medical Center for treatment of his injuries, the report indicates.

A license plate left at the scene led to the car registration tied to a silver 2007 Honda Accord, according to the affidavit — the same make and model car as the one hitting the pedestrian, the affidavit reads. Police also tracked a 911 call Strong made when he made a cursory attempt to aid the victim, tracing the call to the driver's phone even though he identified himself simply as "Jared."

Police were able to detain Strong as he drove into the parking lot of his dwelling, and acknowledged he called 911 but wasn't the person who hit the pedestrian.

But police didn't buy his story. Strong was charged with failure to stop and render aid with bail set at $10,000. Jail records indicate Strong was no longer being held in Travis County Jail as of Monday.

>>> Read the full story at Austin American-Statesman

Dejuan Strong booking photo courtesy of Austin Police Department