Fingerprints lead to fatal hit and run arrest in Collier County
IMMOKALEE, Fla. - Collier County deputies found an Immokalee man sleeping in his car with a bag of cocaine in his lap early Sunday morning.
Deputies say the man identified himself as Victor Escalante. But his fingerprints showed he was a wanted fugitive, Sinar Roblero Escalante, wanted in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident in East Naples in 2005.
According to Collier County Sheriff’s Office reports, a 25-year-old man was working between two vehicles, a 1991 Buick Regal and a Ford F150 pickup, on Six L’s Farm Road around 8:40 p.m. on Sept. 6, 2005. Escalante, who was driving a 1986 Toyota Cressida, struck the pickup head-on, crushing Ramirez between the two vehicles.
The victim’s wife was in the pickup at the time of the accident. She told deputies that Escalante got out of his vehicle and came over to where the victim was on the ground and then ran away.
A warrant for his arrest was issued in February 2006, records show.
Deputies were unable to locate Escalante until Sunday. There were reports during the investigation that he fled to Mexico.
This site uses Facebook comments to make it easier for you to contribute. If you see a comment you would like to flag for spam or abuse, click the "x" in the upper right of it. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use.