Suspect in Lincoln Park Hit and Run Pleads Not Guilty

A man, suspected in a fatal hit and run in Lincoln Park pleaded not guilty in court on Wednesday.

Darius Runnells, 22, is facing felony hit and run charges causing a death.

Runnells turned himself in Tue., April 11 around 1:45 p.m., San Diego Police (SDPD) said.

He is accused of being behind the wheel during a hit and run on the 1200 block of South 47th Street on April 5, which resulted in the death of 57-year-old Ruben Meza.

Police said Meza had just parked his car and was heading to his apartment nearby where he lived with his wife when he was hit.

A man was struck and killed Wednesday night near Logan Avenue and 47th Street by a hit and run driver. NBC 7’s Gaby Rodriguez reports from the neighborhood of Lincoln Park where residents are concerned about safety.

Last week, NBC 7 learned Runnells' driving privileges had been suspended more than a year ago for driving without a license, traffic infraction and failure to appear in court, according to records from the Department of Motor Vehicle.

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Police said at the time of the fatal crash, Runnells' had been driving a Toyota Corolla registered to his mother, who lives just around the block from where Meza was killed.

Two days after the incident, the car was discovered a mile away in the Valencia Park neighborhood.

NBC 7’s Dave Summers has an exclusive witness interview regarding a vehicle found Thursday that may be connected to a fatal hit-and-run investigation in Lincoln Park the night before.

Runnells' bail was set at $50,000. If convicted, he could face up to four years in prison.

A grieving widow is asking the City of San Diego to make changes the a street in Lincoln Park after her husband was hit and left for dead in the middle of the street. NBC 7’s Ashley Matthews reports.