http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/3421306/

Illegal immigrant convicted in fatal hit-and-run

Posted: 48 minutes ago
Updated: 39 minutes ago

Smithfield, N.C. — A Johnston County jury on Friday found an illegal immigrant guilty in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that killed a Clayton man and his son more than a year ago.
Luciano Tellez, 32, was convicted of one count of felony hit-and-run and two counts of second-degree murder in the March 4, 2007, deaths of Jerry "Duane" Braswell, 35, and his 9-year-old son, Jerry Braswell Jr.
Sentencing was under way Friday afternoon.
Authorities said Tellez ran a stop sign at the intersection of N.C. Highway 210 and Plainview Church Road near Angier and rammed into a tractor-trailer. The rig veered off the road, overturned and caught fire, killing Braswell and his son.
Tellez, who authorities believe was drinking, fled the scene on foot.
But he told the court earlier Friday that it was his friend who was driving and that he agreed to take the blame after his friend agreed to bail him out of jail.
He also said he did not know the collision was fatal and that if he did, he would have stayed to talk with investigators.
Prosecutors, however, said they believe Tellez was driving. At the time of his arrest, he was wanted for violating his probation on a drunken driving conviction in 2005 and had a suspended license.

Reporter: Mike Charbonneau
Web Editor: Kelly Gardner