Gazebo Gazette
A man, who police say is an illegal immigrant, has been arrested and is accused of a hit-and-run that left a Pass Christian teenage girl hospitalized with serious injuries Friday night.
Just before 6:00p.m., while hundreds of families gathered downtown to celebrate the 33rd annual Christmas in the Pass, a young girl was struck by a hit-and-run driver while crossing Highway 90.
Pass Christian Police Chief Tim Hendricks said the accident happened at the Davis Avenue intersection where the event was in full swing. Hendricks said, witnesses at the scene provided such a great detailed description of the suspect’s car that deputies with the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department were able to spot the vehicle a short time later just miles away.
After stopping the suspect, police identified the man as David Hernandez, a non U.S. citizen from Honduras. Hernandez was arrested and charged with a felony count of leaving the scene with serious injuries. He is currently being questioned by police and immigration and will be transported to the Harrison County Jail.
A bond for Hernandez has been set at $200,000 by Judge Philip Wittmann.
Officials say, the young girl was transported to an area hospital and later life flighted to Mobile where she remains in critical condition at this time.
Immigration officials will determine if Hernandez will stand trial in the U.S. or be deported back to his native home after a full investigation, Hendricks stated.
