Arrest made in Dallas hit-and-run crash that hospitalized couple

Police have arrested and charged a man who they believe T-boned a car and then left the scene while the couple inside was unconscious.

Dallas police arrested 41-year-old Gilberto Salas Guerra with 2 counts of failure to stop and render aid.

Alan Tienda and his wife Sandra Sanchez were out for a date night when they were hit.

"What I remember, me and my wife were supposed to go out to eat together," Tienda said. "It turns green for me, I look both ways and go." 

That's the last thing Tienda remembers before his car was T-boned at the intersection of East Kiest Boulevard and South Marsalis Avenue on Friday, Oct. 13.

The driver of the gray 2012 Ford F-150 that caused the crash ran away.

"I don’t remember how I got out of the car, I don’t remember who called the police, I don’t know how I got to the hospital. I don’t remember nothing," Tienda said.

7 days after the crash Guerra, the suspected driver, was arrested.

"I’m glad they did find who was behind all this," Tienda said. 

According to the arrest affidavit, when Guerra's truck hit Tienda's car, Guerra was sent crashing into another car.

Three people in that vehicle were treated for injuries at the scene.

Tienda and his wife were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

Tienda was able to come home to their two sons, but Sanchez is still in the hospital.

"She’s supposed to be there for another two weeks and she won’t be able to walk for 3 months so it’s going to be hard on us," said Tienda.

According to the affidavit, the day after the crash Guerra called 911 about a stolen grey F-150 truck, but when detectives got there, he didn't show up.

The affidavit goes on to explain that the paper plates on the truck were invalid and police found Guerra's Mexico passport and other personal items inside.

The affidavit also says Guerra's ex-girlfriend told detectives he contacted her the night of the crash. He allegedly told her that he was in an accident and wanted her to pick him up.

"I’m not that type of person that holds bad on anybody, but when you do bad things then you have to face your consequences, I do believe in that," said Tienda.

Tienda believes this is his second chance.

"I thank God a lot," he said. "He’s given us a second chance at life and I’m very thankful." 

The arrest affidavit said the Guerra was involved in a previous hit-and-run with the same truck, which he owns.

It doesn't say if he faced charges for that case.

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Guerra is charged with three counts of collision involving injury and two county of collision involving bodily harm.

He's currently in the Dallas County Jail being held on a $50,000 bond.

DallasCrime and Public Safety