Deputies: Illegal immigrant flees scene, gives false names in Jensen accident
By Zach Smith
Originally published 01:23 p.m., September 19, 2008
Updated 01:23 p.m., September 19, 2008


Oscar Neftali Lopez-Ramirez


JENSEN BEACH — A Golden Gate man involved a hit-and-run crash gave law enforcement several false names before being arrested Thursday, according to a report released by the Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

According to the report, Oscar Neftali Lopez-Ramirez, 18, of the 2600 block of S.E. Delmar Street, was driving north on U.S. 1 when he ran a red light at the Britt Road intersection and hit Christopher Arndt Jr., 21, who was skating across the street in the crosswalk.

Passengers in the vehicle told Lopez-Ramirez to stop, according to the report, but Lopez-Ramirez refused. He drove three miles before deputies stopped him in the 2200 block of Indian River Drive.

Lopez-Ramirez is an illegal immigrant from Guatemala who has lived in the United States for two years and does not have a driver’s license, according to the report.

Deputies said he initially identified himself using two different names and did not appear to show remorse for what had happened.

Lopez-Ramirez was taken to the Martin County Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, leaving the scene of a crash without giving information, driving without a license and giving a false name.

Arndt was seriously injured at the scene and airlifted to St. Mary’s Hospital in Palm Beach County, according to the report.


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