Fugitive in Fatal 2017 Hit and Run in California Caught in Australia

Australian authorities handed custody of Reyes to the U.S. Marshals on Oct. 28 after a lengthy extradition proceedings, according to Fox 5 San Diego. She landed in Whittier, California a day after and was taken in by the officers from Whittier Police Department.

“A lengthy extradition proceeding has been in the works for over a year, and yesterday, Reyes was transferred to the custody of the United States Marshals in Australia,” Whittier Police Department said in a press release on Oct. 29. “She was flown to the United States and landed this morning at the Van Nuys airport. Upon arrival, Reyes was transferred to the custody of the Whittier Police Department.”

Investigators were able to identify Reyes as the person driving a white Lexus sedan that hit 46-year-old Agustin Rodriguez Jr. on Jan. 30, 2017 and resulted in his death. The vehicle was found in Idaho while authorities have gathered other evidence in Nevada.

Reyes fled the United States shortly after the fatal hit-and-run and moved to Hong Kong. The Whittier police, with the help of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), was able to issue an international arrest warrant for the fugitive. The FBI later discovered Reyes moved to Australia.

Reyes is being charged with felony hit-and-run and vehicular manslaughter, and is currently being held on $1 million bail, CBS Los Angeles reported.

Feature Image via Whittier Police Department