ARLINGTON, Texas — Arlington police are looking for a “person of interest” in a hit-and-run crash that led to the death of a 30-year-old man.
A black Honda Civic hit a pedestrian, 30-year-old Daniel Cruces, at the intersection of West Pioneer Parkway and Center Street about 2 a.m. June 9, police say.
Cruces was found lying in the roadway and pronounced dead at the scene, police say. The driver of the Civic didn’t stop and drove away from the scene, according to police.
Officers found the Civic abandoned near the crash site in the 700 block of East Pioneer Parkway, according to a press release.
Witnesses reported seeing the driver exit the vehicle and run southbound toward a nearby apartment complex, according to police.
Police say they want to speak with Joel Sac Tambriz, 24, who has been known to drive the Honda Civic hatchback that hit Cruces and released a still photo of Sac Tambriz in the same vehicle from a traffic stop in January.
“Everything’s just different now. It's just hard to live a normal life,” said Megan Vogel, Daniel’s wife.
She and Daniel's younger brother David Cruces spoke with WFAA on Thursday.
They described Daniel as the “pillar” of their family. He was a man that made everything better with his smile.
“Growing up he was a lot of the times more of a father figure to me,” said his brother.
Megan told WFAA that before the accident, they were all hanging out at the apartment in Arlington before Daniel left to go to the gas station.
“Why didn't he stop and render aid," Megan asked, referring to the car's driver. "I mean this could've turned out so much different."
David said the news completely shattered the hearts of their family, including their mother.
“It's usually the parents that's supposed to get buried first but for her to lose a child, it was really painful," said David.
The family is asking anyone who knows any information to call the police.
“That justice to get the closure because that closure can allow us to continue our healing process,” said David.
Anyone who sees Sac Tambriz is asked to call 911 and anyone with information about his location is asked to call police at 817-575-8602. Tipsters can also remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers of Tarrant County at 817-469-8477.