A woman accused of fatally striking a 74-year-old man in Manassas, Virginia, and then fleeing the scene allegedly prevented the victim from calling for help right after the crash, police said in an update Wednesday. She now faces homicide charges.
Keiry Beatriz Álvarez Contreras was originally charged Monday night with felony hit-and-run and driving without a license in the crash that killed José Pastor Manzanares, of Manassas Park. She is now also facing charges of felony homicide and preventing the summoning of emergency services.
Álvarez Contreras was driving a Hyundai Sonata southbound on Centreville Road when she hit Manzanares, who was walking in the road, according to a preliminary investigation, Prince William County police said.
After the crash, Álvarez Contreras initially got out of her car and approached Manzanares, who laid injured on the street, authorities said Wednesday. But as he reached for his phone in an attempt to call for help, Álvarez Contreras allegedly took the phone and threw it, preventing him from making a call. Then she escaped the area, leaving Manzanares in the roadway, police said.
Manzanares was eventually taken to a hospital, where he died.
Álvarez Contreras was identified as the suspect after the striking car was located near Burlington Court.
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Friends described Manzanares as a kind husband and father of two. He was originally from El Salvador.
“I have so many memories with him. We went together to get his [U.S] citizenship certificate,” said Flor Marquina, a close friend. “I am in shock because of how tragic his death was. It is not fair.”
"People have to face the consequences of their actions," she said about the suspect. "It wasn't right what she did, taking his phone away. She should have helped him."
The investigation is ongoing. Álvarez Contreras is now being held without bond.
Stay with NBC Washington on this developing story.
