Suspect in Montrose fatal hit-and-run denies fault in jailhouse phone interview

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man suspected in a hit-and-run crash said he's the victim of bad police work.

"I wouldn't do that. I didn't do this," said Matthew Putterman, 28, during jailhouse phone interview with abc13 Wednesday. "They are thinking with their badges and not their brains."

Putterman was arrested last week at the Canadian border and now faces a charge of tampering with evidence in the death of 23-year-old Michael Alex Hill. On January 8, Hill was killed after being struck by a car while he was crossing at an intersection at Westheimer Road near Montrose.

"I don't live in that area. I don't go in that area. I'm waiting for the police to track my phone so that they can see that I've never been to that area," said Putterman.

Seconds after the crash, a dark colored sedan was seen with one headlight speeding away. Hill was left to die and police were left with very few clues on the driver. Then, days later, a confession from Putterman that would pique the interest of Houston Police. Putterman told Canadian border agents he was involved in a hit and run crash near Katy, but it was days after Hill was killed.

Agents noticed the damage to Putterman's Hyundai Sonata and found text messages to his sister about how to fix his car on the cheap in Canada where his good friend Robyn lives.

"That's why I went to Canada. So that I can see Robyn, I could hang out with her. Plus, I really wanted to play in snow," said Putterman.

Putterman, a part-time newspaper salesman for the Houston Chronicle, said there's proof he was nowhere near the Montrose area the night Hill was killed. He said police are wasting their time, when the could be looking for the real killer.

"I don't know why this is happening to me though. I didn't do this," said Putterman.

A spokesperson for the Harris County DA's Office said prosecutors stand by the charge. Putterman has waived extradition. His car will be towed to Houston for a forensic analysis.