A Lilburn man accused of killing his brother-in-law by hitting him with his truck this weekend has been arrested.
On Tuesday evening, Gwinnett County authorities announced the arrest of Ernesto Pelayo after nearly three days of searching for the suspect. Pelayo fled the Lawrenceville neighborhood where the crime occurred Saturday night and had not been seen since.
He was arrested by the Henry County Police and transported to the Gwinnett County jail.
Original Story Updated Dec. 18: Gwinnett County authorities have identified the individuals involved in Saturday morning's deadly altercation that broke out at a Lawrenceville Christmas party.
Arrest warrants have been issued for Lilburn resident Ernesto Pelayo, 34, who police say has not been apprehended. Active warrants for Felony Murder and Aggravated Assault have been issued for Pelayo's arrest.
Pelayo is accused in the hit-and-run death of Lawrenceville resident Juan Davila, 41, who CBS46 reports was Pelayo's brother-in-law.
Gwinnett County Police Department believes the incident, which saw Davila die of his injuries at a local hospital, was intentionally carried out by Pelayo.
Police said around 5:15 a.m. Saturday officers were called to a report of a pedestrian accident on Great Oaks Driver near the intersection of Windsor Oak Circle.
"One man was lying in the street suffering from significant injuries. The driver of a black pick-up truck fled the scene," said Sgt. Michele Pihera in an email statement. "The victim was transported to a local hospital where he died as a result of his injuries."
Pihera said the department's Accident Investigation Unit determined that the collision was an intentional act and call the Homicide Unit and Crime Scene Unit to the site of the incident.
"Detectives learned that the victim and the suspect both attended a Christmas party at one of the homes the night before," Pinera said. "The men are family members related by marriage. At some point, the two men got into a physical fight in the backyard. That incident resulted in one of the men getting into his truck and the other man in the roadway. Witnesses reported seeing the truck strike the victim and then driving away."
Pihera said investigators are trying to get more details on the nature of the fight.
Pelayo was seen fleeing the incident location in a black Dodge Ram 3500 with GA license plate TAT2291.
Those with information regarding his whereabouts are encouraged to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 404-577-8477.
