Police arrest driver who walked away from hit and run

Houma Police arrested a local man Sunday after he walked away from the scene of a crash on Grand Caillou Road, a department spokesman said.

Angel Cortez, 48, of 246 Woodlawn Ranch Rd., backed his Nissan Sentra into another car around 1 p.m. Sunday and then walked away from the scene, Lt. Todd Duplantis said. The driver of the vehicle that was hit notified police, he said.

Both cars were damaged in the crash.

Officers patrolling near Grand Caillou Road and East Street spotted Cortez hiding on the side of a nearby business, Duplantis said. He was escorted back to the scene of the crash. Police discovered Cortez had an outstanding warrant for his arrest for a switched license plate.

Duplantis said Cortez was charged with the warrant and for hit and run driving.

Because officers were unable to locate a registration or insurance on the Nissan, the car was towed from the scene by a local wrecker service, Duplantis said.

Cortez was transported to the Terrebonne Parish Jail to await trial or bond.