A man who fled the scene of a fatal hit-and-run crash last July (2013) in Rutherford County will face the courts on Monday, July 14, 2014, almost exactly one year after the deadly wreck occurred.

After nearly five months on the run, 35 year old Ruben Prado Pena surrendered to U.S. Marshals in Texas. He had fled to Mexico where he apparently hid to avoid capture. 

Pena had been involved in a two vehicle crash on Interstate 24 in Rutherford County on July 20, 2013. Pena, who was the sole occupant of his vehicle, was traveling west in the eastbound lanes of travel on I 24 in LaVergne when he struck another vehicle nearly head on. The impact killed passenger Cynthia Joyner, age 31, of Chattanooga, Tenn., and injured three others in that vehicle.

Pena faces one charge of “Reckless Vehicular Homicide,” three counts of “Aggravated Assault with a Motor Vehicle” and one charge for “Leaving the scene of a Fatal Crash.” Pena will appear before Rutherford County Circuit Court Judge Keith Siskin during his court date on the 14th. A plea date has been scheduled for July 23, 2014.

About the Victim in the Fatal Accident:

The victim in the hit and run accident was known to be a leader in her community with several autism groups. She was often seen at the Chattanooga Autism Center where she worked with and mentored parents of autistic children.

Source:

Circuit Court Docket, Rutherford County
Read about the victim Cynthia Joyner HERE