HAZLETON — A Hazleton man is charged with a deadly hit and run in Luzerne County.
According to court papers, Luis Jimenez Reyes from Hazleton admitted to hitting Javier Miranda, 21, and then fleeing the scene.
Miranda later died at the Lehigh Valley Hospital.
Police said the crash happened on Saturday night at East Broad and Pine Streets in Hazleton.
In those court papers, Reyes told Hazleton police that he fled because he was scared. But shortly after Reyes drove away, police found the black Volkswagen SUV he was driving.
Reyes is charged in connection with accidents involving a death.
People in the Hazleton area said they’re sad to hear Miranda died.
“Yeah, I feel real bad for the young man that’s dead. For the other guy too. And the family,” said Walter Mejia from Hazleton.
Mejia thinks Reyes should have stopped his vehicle and helped instead of driving away. “You have to stop right away. Call 911. Take care of the guy, see what’s going on with the guy, but he took off.”
A friend of Miranda’s said the 21-year-old was pursing a music career.
“He had a recording studio in his attic. He had my over a couple of times. He liked to record his music upstairs, I guess that’s how he liked to relax,” said Matt Berry from Hazleton.
Reyes is locked up at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
He’s being held on $250,000 cash bail.
