The suspected driver in a hit-and-run in Bishop Arts that left a pedestrian dead was intoxicated and had previously been convicted of DWI, a Dallas police arrest-warrant affidavit said.
John Anthony Alvarez, 29, was arrested shortly after a crash that happened at about 10:25 p.m. Sunday in the 400 block of West Davis Street, which killed Jose Benitez, who witnesses said was crossing the street at the time of the crash.
According to Alvarez’s arrest-warrant affidavit, officers responded to the scene after callers reported a white SUV had struck Benitez and crashed into a parked car. The driver of the SUV was also reported to have fled the scene on foot, the affidavit said.
When police arrived, officers witnessed Dallas Fire-Rescue paramedics performing CPR on Benitez, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Police spoke with the owner of the parked car that was hit, who told police he saw the driver of the SUV exit the vehicle and walk up to Benitez, seemingly in shock, before fleeing the scene.
Crime in The News
Related
Alvarez, who the affidavit said matched the description of the driver, was later found in a neighborhood near the scene of the crash. Police wrote in the affidavit that Alvarez appeared intoxicated, and when questioned by police, Alvarez asked for a lawyer and said he had previously been arrested for DWI. Dallas County court records show he was sentenced to 15 months probation in April 2021 after he pleaded guilty to DWI.
Alvarez was arrested after police discovered the white SUV involved in the crash was registered to him. He was booked into the Dallas County jail early Monday; he faces charges of intoxication manslaughter, collision involving death and collision involving death to vehicle.
He remained jailed Tuesday on $251,000 bond. It was unclear if he has retained an attorney.