The Ocala Police Department has arrested a 29-year-old suspect in connection with a fatal hit and run that took the lives of two pedestrians in downtown Ocala.
Joshua Zuniga is facing two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
Police used a private firm to expedite obtaining DNA results.
“This action produced results within weeks, whereas the process could have taken months. DNA obtained from Joshua Zuniga matched the DNA obtained from the airbag of the vehicle involved,” said OPD Public Information Officer Meghan Shay.
Two pedestrians were hit at about 11:30 p.m. Jan. 13 by a 2014 Nissan Frontier that was traveling westbound on East State Road 40. Alicha Andino, 39, and Jessie Caldero, 28, were walking northbound in a crosswalk at an ntersection when they were struck by the Nissan. The driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and did not stop. The driver abandoned the vehicle just west of U.S. Hwy. 441 on West State Road 40. Andino and Caldero were pronounced dead at the scene.
“The victims’ families have been notified and have expressed their gratitude. We would like to thank the following officers for their extraordinary work on this case and their dedication to justice for the victims: Sergeant Eric Hooper, Officer Charles Hunt, Detective Hurst, Detective Gauthier, and the OPD Intel Unit,” Shay said.
