A Rochester man accused of hitting a pedestrian in a Centralia crosswalk with his car last week and fleeing the scene has been arrested.
Jose Armando Ochoa Tello, 22, was arrested Dec. 16 and faces one count of felony hit-and-run.
He is accused of striking a 48-year-old woman with his car at the intersection of South Tower Avenue and East Walnut Street in Centralia on Dec. 13.
The woman was reportedly walking in the crosswalk when a car struck her right hip, catapulting her over the hood of the vehicle. The car, identified as a dark-colored Yukon, fled the scene.
She avoided serious injury but sustained “bumps and bruises,” as well as broken blood vessels in her abdomen, according to court documents.
Officers were able to use the Flock Safety camera system to identify the vehicle and identify Ochoa Tello as the vehicle’s registered owner.
Officers contacted Ochoa Tello at his Rochester residence on Dec. 16.
Ochoa Tello allegedly admitted he was driving the Yukon on Dec. 13 when it struck a pedestrian, but said he left the scene because he didn't speak English.
Court officials confirmed Wednesday, Dec. 17, that Ochoa Tello does not speak English. He understands Spanish but has difficulty speaking it, according to a court interpreter.
Ochoa Tello has no criminal history, but the prosecution expressed concerns about Ochoa Tello being a flight risk because he has previously been deported.
Judge Paul Strophy found that Ochoa Tello being previously deported was not relevant in determining whether being released on this criminal matter would generate a community safety risk.
Strophy ultimately set bail at $15,000. Arraignment was scheduled for Dec. 18.
