The Kyle Police Department have confirmed that Gilbert Villegas, 47, of San Marcos, a suspect in a May 27 hit and run on Yarrington Road near Kyle, was apprehended June 20 in the Houston area by the Gulf Violent Offender Task Force.
Villegas was charged with Accident Involving Death, a second-degree felony. He is accused of striking John Lyon, 53, of Kyle, while Lyon was riding his bicycle along the I-35 access road near Yarrington Rd.
According to a press release by the City of Kyle, police believe Villegas, who did not stop to render aid, then fled the Kyle/San Marcos area after the accident. Lyon was discovered by the driver of another vehicle.
Villegas is in custody, but police said the vehicle in the crash has not been recovered.
Kyle Police Department chief Jeff Barnett said he is appreciative of both the excellent investigative work by his officers and the assistance of the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the United States Marshal’s Office.
“Our investigators used every tool and available technology at their disposal to identify a possible suspect and pursue that lead,” Barnett said. “After hundreds of hours of evidence analysis, data analysis, interviews and searches, the investigators were confident they had established sufficient evidence to charge an individual with the death of Mr. Lyon.”
The Kyle Police Department believes that the vehicle used in this crime is being hidden and is asking for the public’s help in locating it. The vehicle is described as a dark grey 2010 Kia Optima, bearing Texas license plate DPT7314.
If you see the vehicle, contact the Kyle Police Department at 512-268-3232.
