Police Release The Name Of Victim Killed In Hit And Run

Police tell us the name of the El Paso man who was changing his tire when he was hit by an off duty deputy, is 26-year-old Richard Lopez.

Police say 45-year-old sheriff’s deputy Raymundo Carranza was driving east bound in a 2007 Honda Ridgeline pick-up when he struck Lopez, who was changing the flat tire to his Honda Civic.

Police say that instead of stopping to help, the deputy sped off — while Lopez died at the scene. Police aren’t telling us a time — but they say a “while” later, the deputy returned to the scene.

Carranza was arrested and charged with accident involving personal injury or death — police say the laymen’s term for the charge is: hit-and-run.

Failure to render aid falls under this charge as well, Police say.

KVIA found out, Carranza was booked into the El Paso County Detention Center at 3:41 pm on Saturday and was released less than an hour later.

KVIA was able to catch up with Sheriff Wiles today and although he wasn’t able to comment on the case directly, he tells us the deputy is facing termination and internal affairs is meeting with him tomorrow. He also gave us this statement

“It’s a tragic situation and our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims family.”,said Sheriff Richard Wiles.