SALEM, Ore. -- The suspect in a deadly hit-and-run that killed a Salem toddler last month pleaded guilty in court Thursday.
Juan Lopez-Perez pleaded guilty to charges of failing to perform the duties of a driver in a crash. He was sentenced to one-and-a-half years behind bars. Lopez-Perez’ attorney said his client left the scene because he was in the country illegally and a crowd was gathering and he feared for his safety.
Little Erika Meza was in the parking lot at the Stoneridge Apartments in the 3800 block of Sunnyview in North Salem when she was hit by Lopez-Perez' pickup truck.
The girl's mother was visiting her sister at the apartments when the girl was hit while running through the parking lot.
Just after 11:30 p.m. Salem Police found the truck in the 2100 block of Maple Avenue NE. Officers later arrested 31-year-old Lopez-Perez for felony hit and run.
A close family friend of the victim told KGW that the suspect lived in the same apartment complex as the victim, and would actually play with the two-year-old girl in the parking lot when he was washing his truck.
