Police: Hit and run accident kills pedestrian, driver arrested

Brownsville police arrested a Brownsville man and his wife in connection with a hit-and-run fatality and their alleged attempt to cover it up, officials said.

Natalio Velasquez, 62, was killed when a gold Chrysler 300 struck him as he crossed the street in the 1800 block of Southmost Road on Sunday at approximately 4 a.m., said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique.

Miguel Cabrera Jr., 22, was arrested shortly after the accident outside of his house in the 3200 block of E. 27th Street and later charged with one count of intoxication manslaughter and one count of failure to stop and render aid. Cabrera’s wife, Sharon Wolfe, 20, was also arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence, police records show.

Later that day the couple went before a municipal judge, who assessed their bonds and sent them to Carrizalez-Rucker Detention Center.

Total bonds for Cabrera were set at $55,000 and the bond for Wolfe was set at $3,500.

The arrest took place when police responded to the scene of the accident and met with a witness who gave a detailed description of the car so police could place a lookout on it, Manrrique said.

A police officer spotted the car in an alley behind 27th Street as Wolfe tried to drive it through a gate that was being held open by Cabrera, records show. The front part of the vehicle and the windshield showed damage.

"As soon as the officers showed up, the two began crying and hugging and he told the officer that he knew he had hit someone," Manrrique said.

At the time of his arrest, police officers determined that Cabrera was under the effects of alcohol, records show.

Police are waiting on the results of a blood test to determine the level of alcohol in Cabrera’s body, Manrrique said.