Hit And Run Driver Charged For March 27 Crash On Lafayette Street

The 27-year-old driver of a Mercedes-Benz SUV was arrested this morning for his involvement in the March 27th hit and run crash that ultimately killed pedestrian Ronnie Wilson, 41, on Lafayette Street near Fairfield Avenue.

The preliminary investigation indicated an eastbound Mercedes hit Wilson at 6:15 a.m. as he was crossing Lafayette Street before fleeing the scene. The Mercedes was located later that evening with damage consistent with the crash. The driver, Tyler Leavy, denied knowing anything about a hit and run and told the officer he hit an animal some time ago, but had yet to fix the front of his vehicle.

Leavy then called an MNPD Sergeant and admitted he hit someone near the Napier community and left the scene. He confessed that he lied to an officer that night about hitting an animal.

Investigators were notified last Saturday that Wilson died in hospice care following a prolonged hospitalization as a result of his injuries from the crash.

Warrants were issued against Leavy for evidence tampering, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in injury, failure to render aid and failure to give immediate notice of an accident. Those charges will now be upgraded following Wilson's death.

Leavy is now out on $7,500 bond.