The Arlington Police Department has arrested 26-year-old Josue Rodriguez in connection with the hit-and-run death of Areauna Laws, 21, who was struck and killed on June 23, 2024, along I-20. Rodriguez faces one count of Accident Involving Death.
Following an investigation, Arlington traffic investigators obtained a warrant for Rodriguez’s arrest. He was located by the U.S. Marshals North Texas Fugitive Task Force in Fort Worth on September 17, 2024, and taken into custody without incident.
Witnesses described the suspect vehicle, a tan 1975 Chevrolet Cheyenne, and informed police of its direction after the collision. The vehicle was found abandoned shortly after the crash in a shopping center parking lot along the 1100 block of W. I-20 Freeway.
Rodriguez, the registered owner, initially denied involvement, claiming his truck had been left outside a party venue on Camp Bowie Boulevard West in Benbrook the night before. However, surveillance footage from nearby businesses showed an individual believed to be Rodriguez arriving in the truck and later driving away. Cell phone records placed Rodriguez near the crash site around the time of the incident, which aligned with additional surveillance footage showing the driver using a cell phone.
Rodriguez is being held in the Tarrant County Jail on a $40,000 bond.
The Arlington Police Department reminded the public that state law requires drivers involved in a crash to remain at the scene and provide reasonable aid to anyone injured, including calling 911 and requesting EMS assistance.
