Hit-and-Run Suspect Identified By Leesburg Police

Images: Jose Pablo Hernandez Reyes; a witness’s photo of the pickup truck suspected of being involved in Monday’s collision (Leesburg Police Department).

The police in Leesburg say they have identified the suspect in a Monday evening hit-and-run accident that seriously injured a pedestrian.

They said they received critical information from a witness to the accident, who followed the pickup truck involved in the collision and took a picture of it.

Jose Pablo Hernandez Reyes, 47, of no fixed address has been identified as the driver of the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado that struck 57-year-old Fidel Antonio Cruz Villacorta of Leesburg, the town police said Tuesday in a statement.

Cruz was transported by an AirCare medical helicopter to Inova Fairfax Hospital, where he was listed Tuesday in critical condition, the police said.

The police have obtained a warrant against Hernandez Reyes for a charge of felony hit and run. He is described as 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighing 185 pounds, with brown eyes and black and gray hair. He was last known to be in the area of Hamilton, the police said, and has ties to Maryland and Virginia.

The accident occurred at about 5:12 p.m. Monday as Cruz was crossing Plaza Street NE, the police said. Hernandez Reyes had exited a business’s parking lot and was driving south on Plaza Street when he allegedly struck Cruz.

A witness followed the suspect’s pickup and took a photo of the truck’s license tag number, whichi aided the investigation og the collision, the police said. They found the truck Tuesday morning at a residence in Hamilton and impounded it to gather evidence.

The Leesburg Police Department is asking that anyone who may have information on the whereabouts of Jose Pablo Hernandez Reyes to please call (703) 771-4500. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call the Leesburg Crime Line at (703) 443-TIPS (8477).

The department can also receive information from the public through a program called TIPSUBMIT. Tips about a specific crime or criminal activity can be sent by text, email or smartphone. Simply Text LPDTIP plus your message to 274637.