A man was arrested for a fatal hit-and-run in Indianapolis that officials said he ran away from 15 years ago. Israel Espinosa, 36, had fled the state in 2010 and was arrested in Oklahoma on Sept. 26.
He is accused of driving a Nissan Altima that slammed into an SUV stopped at a traffic light on Nov. 27, 2010. Megan Ratcliff, 16, was in the struck SUV and died at the scene. According to the FBI Indianapolis Division, Espinosa fled on foot. Reports indicated empty alcohol containers were found in the Nissan.
In a post online, Ratcliff’s sister, Sara Ratcliff, said that being able to say that her baby sister will finally have justice served after almost 15 years is an unimaginable feeling.
“To have these wounds open again is truly heartbreaking and so hard, but I truly cannot wait because you got away with it for so long, you thought it was over. It wasn’t over for us,” She posted.
She shared her family statement to IndyStar, which said they appreciate all of the support and love they are receiving from this news. “However, this is a very difficult, heavy, and confusing time for us right now, so please be patient with us as we process and comfort each other. Again, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much for all the support and love,” the statement read.
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Espinosa faced several charges in the crash, including reckless homicide, failure to stop after a fatal crash and operating a vehicle while never licensed, but fled the state and has been on the run since.
The investigation into his flight to avoid prosecution was conducted by the FBI Indianapolis’ Violent Crime Task Force as part of Operation No Escape, which focuses on locating and arresting violent fugitives.
The task force learned that Espinosa might be in the Oklahoma City area and coordinated with the FBI Oklahoma Field Office on Sept. 26, who arrested him later that day.
Espinosa, who had previously been deported and reentered the country illegally, is being held in Oklahoma awaiting extradition to Indiana.
Jade Jackson is a public safety reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Man caught in Oklahoma for 2010 fatal hit-and-run of Indy 16-year-old
