SAN ANTONIO — The San Antonio Police Department says they have arrested a suspect in the hit-and-run death of Lisa Starr Rosenstein.
Joel Angel Zaragoza faces a charge of Failure to Stop and Render Aid-Death, according to SAPD.
On May 2, Rosenstein, 53, was jogging along the access road of North Loop 1604 near Northwest Military Highway at the edge of Shavano Park. She was hit by a car, and the driver did not stop to render aid.
Investigators were looking for a light-colored 2012 to 2014 Ford Focus and were offering a reward to the public for information leading to an arrest.
According to an arrest affidavit, investigators tracked the vehicle through various surveillance cameras along eastbound Loop 1604, eventually losing track of the vehicle around Blanco Road. Investigators received a tip from the public about a potential suspect vehicle with damage to the front.
Investigators obtained surveillance video of a nearby apartment complex showing the suspect vehicle entering the security gate of the complex. The affidavit says the vehicle had consistent damage seen in surveillance footage from the accident scene.
An officer made contact with Zaragoza at Lifetime Fitness on Tuesday. The affidavit says he told the officer he thought he had hit a deer. When the officer asked if he could definitely say whether or not it was a deer, he said his windshield was foggy and he could not say. Zaragoza was arrested and faces a charge of Failure to Stop and Render Aid-Death.
SAPD's Eluterio Rendon served as lead detective on the case and has been in contact with Rosenstein's family since the day of the incident.
"It's a very tragic incident. These cases always are because we have innocent parties involved," Rendon said.
Rendon recalls the suspect's demeanor as "not remorseful."
Police sent a statement from Rosenstein’s loved ones.
“The Rosenstein and Starr families appreciate the diligent efforts of the San Antonio and Shavano Park Police Departments that resulted in the arrest of a suspect in Lisa’s death."
Family and friends say Rosenstein was a well-known frequent runner. After the news of her death, she was honored by the group, San Antonio Road Runners.