INDIANAPOLIS – An Indianapolis man is killed in a hit-and-run crash while doing yard work outside his own home on Indy's west side.
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the case.
According to the incident report from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, officers responded around 8:30 p.m. Sunday to the 4100 block of West 30th Street.
Police and witnesses confirm the victim was edging his grass along 30th Street when he was hit by the driver of a Nissan van who sped away.
The victim, 58-year-old Mark Brown, suffered head injuries and a broken leg and died after being rushed to the hospital.
"One of the neighbors said the car hit and knocked him up in the air," said the victim's widow, Linda Cotton.
Linda recalls being inside her home when her husband was sent flying into the neighbor's driveway.
"I'm empty. My best friend is gone," said Cotton.
Linda said she and Mark had been together for 40 years and she can't imagine life without him.
"Mark was a good guy. He minded his own business. He took care of kids and his wife. He definitely took care of me," said Cotton.
Ariel Treminio-Lopez, 36, was arrested within minutes after one witness followed the suspect to his home a quarter mile away in a nearby neighborhood.
According to court records, the suspect admitted he caused the crash and went home because he was scared.
For their part, IMPD reminds everyone to pay attention while driving and never leave the scene of an accident.
"You have to remember there are family members, a spouse, that grieving over the loss of a family member now. If you're in that place, take the few extra minutes and slow down," said IMPD Officer Tommy Thompson. "If you are involved in this type of incident, stay on scene and call the police."
"For someone to hit him and run or attempt to run, that was awful," said Cotton.
The suspect was initially charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, but the prosecutor's office is upgrading that charge because the victim passed away.
Jesse Wells contributed to this report.