Deadly Montrose hit-and-run suspect arrested at US-Canada border

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man accused in a deadly hit-and-run accident in Montrose earlier this month is now behind bars in North Dakota.

Matthew Alan Putterman is charged with failure to stop and render aid. He was arrested by border agents while trying to cross into Canada.

Police say Putterman is responsible for the January 8 death of 23-year-old Michael Alexander Hill. Hill was struck and killed by a red-light runner as he tried to cross Westheimer at an intersection near Taft. The driver sped off.

Officials say Canadian border patrol officials noticed the damage to his vehicle and found text messages between him and his sister talking about the accident and ways to fix his damaged car.

Putterman is being held at the Pembina County Jail in North Dakota.

Hill, a South Carolina native, moved to Houston last year and worked as a server at two of the city's top restaurants. He spent his free time ice skating. His group of friends are all transplants. They are each other's Houston family.

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Hill's family with funeral expenses.