Ex-UTEP student ‘intentionally and knowingly struck two victims’ with his car, UTEP police say

A Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report obtained by ABC-7 states the driver of the 2003 Honda Accord who allegedly led a UTEP police officer on a chase struck pedestrian and two vehicles off campus.

ABC-7 also obtained the UTEP incident report for the wrecks that happened on or near campus on March 6, 2018. That same reports states UTEP police officers were dispatched to a pedestrian accident involving two UTEP students. The alleged offender is not identified in the UTEP incident report, only described as an “ex-UTEP student.” The UTEP police report states the offender used a motor vehicle to “intentionally and knowingly (strike) two victims.” UTEP police said the hit-and-run driver then hit a third pedestrian near Prospect and Schuster.

The Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report states the driver of the Honda failed to stop a render aid after striking the pedestrian near Prospect and Schuster. According to the same report, the pedestrian was not on a crosswalk. The driver of the Honda allegedly fled from police, leading them on a chase into Downtown El Paso, the report states.

ABC-7 spoke with one of the hit-and-run victims, Gerardo Ramirez. He tells us he got a concussion, road rash, a fractured clavicle and an injured leg, but is thankful to be alive.

“(The driver of the Honda) recklessly sped through an area full of pedestrians, caused a lot of harm, not only to Gerardo, but to other people,” said Ramirez’s attorney, Matt Lopez, “Gerardo has suffered catastrophic injuries that have changed his life. What this is about is accountability.”

A Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report states the driver failed to yield the right of way to the driver of a Chevrolet vehicle making a left turn from Paisano onto Oregon street. The driver of the Honda allegedly struck the Chevy and fled the scene, the report states. Two women riding in the Chevy suffered minor injuries.

The Texas Peace Officer’s Report states the driver of the Honda continued east on Paisano in an attempt to flee a police officer pursuing him. The driver allegedly failed to yield the right of way to the driver of a Nisan Quest making a left turn from Paisano onto Kansas street, colliding with the Nissan.

The UTEP police report states the driver of the Honda left his vehicle after the crash. Investigators say the UTEP police officer in pursuit attempted to handcuff the suspect, but the suspect began to fight the officer. The suspect allegedly began to strike and kick the officer. After the fight, the officer took the man into custody.

According to the incident report, the suspect was taken to UMC for his injuries.

A Texas Peace Officer’s Crash Report, and an attorney representing two of the victims, identified the driver of the Honda. ABC-7 is withholding the driver’s name because he has not been charged.

The UTEP report states the suspect allegedly committed aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; resisted arrest, search or transport (assaulted); and committed an assault on a public servant. However, the report does not identify the driver.