Anthony Velazquez pleads not guilty in fatal hit-and-run crash; judge binds him over for trial

MILWAUKEE -- 21-year-old Anthony Velazquez of Milwaukee pleaded not guilty on Monday, May 1st in connection with a fatal hit-and-run crash that happened on Milwaukee's south side early in April.

Israel Soto-Colon

62-year-old Israel Soto-Colon was killed by a car that witnesses say was driving at a high rate of speed. They say it never stopped after striking Soto-Colon near 35th and Mitchell.

Velazquez is charged with hit-and-run resulting in death. He is accused of killing Soto-Colon and driving off -- abandoning his vehicle nearby and later reporting that it was stolen, according to the criminal complaint.

Anthony Velazquez

Surveillance video, however, captured Velazquez abandoning the vehicle. He was arrested the same day.

A Milwaukee police crash specialist testified on Monday, May 1st at a preliminary hearing.

"They describe a male exiting the driver's side of the vehicle and a female exiting the passenger side of the vehicle, then running northbound on 30th Street," said Matthew Bongard, Milwaukee Police Department.

If convicted, Velazquez faces up to 31 years in prison.

Anthony Velazquez

A Go Fund Me page has set up to help cover funeral expenses for Israel Soto-Colon. CLICK HERE if you would like to pitch in.