LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A Louisville woman was arrested Wednesday in connection with a hit-and-run that seriously injured an 18-year-old riding his bike last week.
Louisville Metro Police said 52-year-old Julie Willis was taken into custody five days after the Aug. 14 crash at Dixie Highway and Valley Station Road.
Kingston Maestas, a recent high school graduate, was riding home from work around midnight when he was hit. The driver left the scene.
Maestas suffered a collapsed lung, torn spleen and damaged arteries. His family previously said he was recovering in the ICU.
In an update Wednesday night, his family confirmed he had been released.
According to Willis' arrest citation, police figured out that a white 2017 Jeep Renegade registered to her boyfriend was involved in the crash.
Police said a witness told investigators Willis came home shortly after the crash and admitted she had been in a collision with a "motorcycle" and left "because she was scared."
The witness told police Willis then moved the Jeep away from her home before calling police to report it stolen, the citation said.
The Jeep was reported stolen Aug. 15 and found three days later in the 2700 block of Bank Street.
Police said in the citation they believe Willis was driving the Jeep during the hit-and-run and later reported it stolen to make it appear someone else had the vehicle before the crash.
And according to the citation, police believe Willis does not have a driver's license.
Willis is charged with leaving the scene of an accident and failure to render aid involving death or serious physical injury, tampering with physical evidence, filing a false report with law enforcement, fraudulent insurance acts and operating without a license.
Maestas' family said Wednesday night they "feel blessed" an arrest was made.
Willis is scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning at 9 a.m.
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