Man arrested in Ocala hit-and-run that killed 2 women, police say

Joshua Zuniga charged with 2 counts of leaving scene of crash involving death

Booking photo of Joshua Zuniga

OCALA, Fla. – A man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run that killed two women crossing a street in downtown Ocala, according to the Ocala Police Department.

Police said Joshua Zuniga, 29, is being charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving death.

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Around 11:30 p.m. Jan. 13, two pedestrians were hit by a 2014 Nissan Frontier that was heading west on East State Road 40. Police said Alicha Andino, 39, and Jessie Caldero, 28, were walking north in a crosswalk at the intersection of East State Road 40 and Northeast First Avenue when they were struck by the Nissan.

The driver was traveling at a high rate of speed and did not stop, police said.

After continuing westbound, the driver abandoned the Nissan just west of U.S. Hwy 441 on West State Road 40, police said. Andino and Caldero were pronounced dead at the scene.

[RELATED: 2 women fatally hit by truck while using Ocala crosswalk, police say]

The Police Department utilized a private firm to expedite obtaining DNA results. Police said this action produced results within weeks, whereas the process could have taken months.

DNA obtained from Zuniga matched the DNA obtained from the airbag of the vehicle involved, police said.

Police said Zuniga would be taken to the Marion County Jail.


About the Author:

Troy Blevins is a Digital Content Editor who has been with Graham Media Group since 2012.