According to court documents, on April 26, 2009, just before 1am, a Ford Expedition traveling at a high rate of speed in the 2600 block of Lyons struck a wooden pole and rolled over several times. Franklin Carrasco Castillo, 38, is accused of driving that night and failing to get medical help for the passenger, Javier Gomez, who Castillo identified as his brother.
A witness told police at the time of the crash that he saw the driver climb out of the SUV right after the wreck, covered in blood, and walk away, even after saying his brother was inside the car.
When questioned at the time, Castillo claimed to be home asleep with his live-in girlfriend.
DNA testing of blood from the airbag ultimately matched Castillo, authorities say.
Additionally, police interviewed a friend who was the last person Gomez called from his cell phone before the accident. He told officers that Castillo had been drinking the night of the accident, and that Gomez didn't know how to drive. He added that Castillo and his girlfriend had visited him the day after the accident and instructed him not to say anything if anyone questioned him.
Castillo is charged with failure to stop and render aid. Bail has been set at $85,000 in the case.
Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
