An El Paso man identified through anonymous tips as the driver in a hit-and-run crash was sentenced to 10 years of probation, court records show.
Carlos Manuel Rivera Jr., who was 18 at the time of the wreck, pleaded guilty to one count of collision involving injury or death in connection with an April 12, 2025, hit-and-run wreck that seriously injured a man, Samuel Bryan Ponce, who was riding a scooter.
An aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge was dismissed against Rivera as part of a plea agreement with the El Paso District Attorney’s Office, court records show.
“After evaluating all of the facts and circumstances of the case, including the cause of the collision as well as the defendant’s lack of criminal history and acceptance of responsibility, our office determined that this sentence appropriately balances the seriousness of offense, the impact on the victim, the safety of the community, and the defendant’s potential for rehabilitation,” El Paso District Attorney James Montoya said in a statement.
“The defendant is now a convicted felon and will be under supervision for the next decade. Failure to comply with the terms of supervision can lead to revocation (and) up to 10 years’ imprisonment. Regardless of fault, all drivers have a legal obligation to remain at the scene of a collision, exchange information, and provide assistance to any injured parties.”
Judge Patrick Garcia of the 384th District Court accepted the plea deal. Rivera was sentenced to a 10-year suspended jail sentence, meaning he will serve 10 years of probation. The plea and sentencing hearing was held on March 12 at the Enrique Moreno County Courthouse in Downtown El Paso.
Crime Stopper of El Paso tips lead to arrest
Ponce was riding a red Tao Tao scooter about 2 a.m. on April 12, 2025, south on Piedras Street in the Five Points area in Central El Paso.
He made a left turn onto Tularosa Avenue when a black 2014 Chevrolet Malibu struck him. The Chevrolet was being driven with its lights off northbound on Piedras in the left turn-only lane, El Paso Police Department officials said at the time of the crash.
Ponce was taken to a hospital with serious injuries. He survived his injuries.
As police investigated the crash, they asked the public for help in locating the driver and vehicle. The crash was highlighted as part of Crime Stoppers of El Paso’s Crime of the Week in April 2025.
Police arrested Rivera after receiving anonymous tips from the public. No information was released on what the tip was.
Rivera was arrested on April 22, 2025, on a charge of collision involving serious injuries. He was jailed on a $50,000 bond. He posted bail the same day and remained out on bond as his case remained pending, court records show.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso man arrested in 2025 hit-and-run crash sentenced to probation
Reporting by Aaron Martinez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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