More than two months after a 32-year-old Gardnerville man was struck by a vehicle and left lying on the side of the road, the woman accused of driving the SUV was charged with failure to stop at the scene or render aid.
Melissa Rose Hernandez, 27, of Gardnerville, was arrested by the Nevada Highway Patrol on Tuesday and is being held in Douglas County Jail on $5,000 cash bail.
She reportedly told investigating officers she didn't stop because she thought she "hit a deer or a person."
Hernandez is accused of hitting Cayle Hanson with her sports utility vehicle shortly after 11 p.m. on July 22 near Lutheran Bridge in Gardnerville and leaving the scene.
According to reports, Hanson suffered broken ribs, cuts and bruises and lay by the side of the road for nearly 30 minutes before he was seen by two teenage boys on their way home.
The boys called 911 and Hanson was taken by CareFlight to Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno where he was treated for seven broken ribs, a torn spleen, fractured arm, dislocated shoulder and a punctured lung.
He was released after several days in intensive care and has medical bills totaling more than $100,000, according to prosecutor Laurie Trotter.
Hernandez was charged with failure to stop at the scene of an accident involving death or personal injury, a felony, and failure to use due care.
After a story appeared on The Record-Courier's Web site Aug. 4 about the accident and the search for the driver, the highway patrol received an anonymous tip about Hernandez.
Troopers transported Hanson to Hernandez's work place at North Sails where they matched up his injuries to the damage on her vehicle. Hanson's wife also retrieved a broken side mirror from the accident site that matched one missing from Hernandez's vehicle.
After she was questioned at work, Hernandez apologized to Hanson, according to reports.
When asked why she didn't stop or report the accident, Hernandez allegedly told officers, "I didn't think it was a big deal."
East Fork Justice Jim EnEarl appointed lawyer Kris Brown to represent Hernandez and ordered her to appear in court Oct. 7.
He said if she is able to bail out, she is forbidden from driving a vehicle and must wear an ankle monitoring bracelet.
EnEarl said Hernandez could leave her residence only for work.
She is forbidden from consuming drugs or alcohol, is subject to search and seizure and may not contact the victim.
According to reports, Hernandez said she wasn't drinking the night of the accident, however, she tested positive Wednesday for marijuana.
