Undocumented Immigrant Accused of Deadly Hit-and-Run in Maryland Was Previously Incarcerated for Criminal Offenses

An individual accused of being the driver in a deadly hit-and-run accident in Maryland is an undocumented immigrant who recently served time in federal prison. Gilver Zelaya-Diaz, 42, was apprehended last week in connection to a fatal collision that claimed the life of Jacques Price earlier this month in Montgomery County, according to authorities from the local police department’s press release. It is reported that Diaz has eight different aliases and entered the country illegally back in 2019. The suspect had previously been charged with driving on a suspended license, operating without a valid driver’s permit, speeding, armed robbery, second-degree assault, and possessing controlled dangerous substances for distribution purposes. Diaz was released from federal prison last July and at the time of the incident, he was reportedly serving parole probation following his confinement period according to Federal Bureau of Prisons records and a Montgomery County statement charging document indicating previous no-show appearances in court amounting up to five occasions. The victim Price, who had family responsibilities as both father and uncle, perished whilst using an inline skate when Diaz allegedly ran into him before swiftly making their escape from the scene of the accident. Law enforcement officers took almost a week to capture Diaz following diligent work in identifying his vehicle via databases tracking down its license plate details. In view of his criminal history and previous failure to appear at court hearings, prosecutors requested that he be held until trial as they believe it would pose an undue risk if released on bail or bond. As things stand, Diaz is still incarcerated in the Montgomery County Correctional facility according to public records. The police’s efforts in capturing Zelaya-Diaz were commended by Price’s father Marcus Glivings who told NBC 4 that he was “grateful” and regarded him as a dangerous character. In the meantime, memorial offerings still stand at the scene of the incident where his neighbor attached a white skateboard to a telephone poll along with other decorations in tribute following Price’s untimely death last week. Glivings said that it was “heartbreaking” and added: “He didn’t deserve it, he didn’t deserve it. He was minding his own business.”