A Minden man was arrested on a felony hit-and-run charge after police said he admitted leaving the scene of a September 18 crash that left another driver with a fractured wrist.
Kerry Garland, 36, was taken into custody September 20 following a two-day Minden Police Department investigation that included witness statements, surveillance footage, and an anonymous tip.
Police were initially dispatched to the intersection of Claiborne and East Todd streets at approximately 6:57 PM on September 18. Officers found a blue Mazda CX-5 stopped in the intersection with damage to the driver’s-side front fender.
The driver told police she had been traveling south on Claiborne Street and stopped at the stop sign at East Todd Street. She activated her turn signal and began making a left turn when a red SUV allegedly passed on her left and struck her vehicle.
The SUV reportedly continued from the scene.
The driver complained of an injury to her right arm. Emergency medical personnel responded, but she declined ambulance transport and was later taken by a family member to the Minden Medical Center emergency room.
Witnesses reportedly corroborated the driver’s account and described the other vehicle’s driver as a younger man. Police also reviewed nearby surveillance footage that indicated the vehicle was a red Ford Explorer. According to the report, one recording showed the SUV accelerating at a high rate of speed after the collision.
On September 20, a family member informed police that the injured driver had suffered a fractured wrist and was experiencing extreme pain around her neck.
Later that day, police received an anonymous tip identifying Garland as the alleged driver and providing information about the possible location of the vehicle.
An officer patrolling Kennon Street subsequently spotted a red Ford Explorer parked behind a residence in the 800 block.
Police conducted a knock-and-talk at the residence at approximately 6 PM. According to the report, Garland voluntarily made several statements admitting his involvement in the hit-and-run.
Garland was taken into custody on charges of felony hit-and-run, speeding, and failure to maintain insurance.
All subjects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.