Chandler police arrest suspect in hit-and-run with mother and child

PHOENIX — Chandler police have arrested an 18-year-old man suspected of a hit-and-run involving a mother and a child on Thursday afternoon.

Luis Romo-Valadez was booked into the Gilbert Chandler Unified Holding Facility on one charge of hit-and-run, the Chandler Police Department said on Tuesday.

Romo-Valadez allegedly lost control of the car near the intersection of California and Oakland streets and struck the mother and child who were walking on the sidewalk, according to the probable cause statement.

The mother and child received minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital, authorities said.

Police said he also struck a tree and collided with a fence before backing up and leaving the scene.

The man’s father, who is the registered owner of the vehicle, called police to report his son had returned from Mexico with new damage to the car, authorities said.

Romo-Valadez was taken into custody without incident and later admitted to leaving the scene of the collision because he was scared.

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