Police apprehended Zulma Beltran, 49, following a hit-and-run incident in Plano, Texas, that left a 12-year-old girl injured.
A month after striking a child with her SUV and fleeing, authorities charged Zulma Beltran with a felony collision involving personal injury, Mail Online reported.
The unsettling event occurred on December 10th at the intersection of Wilson Drive and Westridge Drive. Beltran, driving a black SUV, inexplicably veered onto the wrong side of the road, made a left turn, and collided with the girl, who the impact threw several feet.
Immediately after the collision, the SUV paused briefly, allowing Beltran, the driver, to observe the injured girl scrambling off the road while still screaming before she drove away from the scene. Door camera footage capturing the incident played a crucial role in identifying the vehicle and raised public concern over the driver’s actions.
Despite suffering minor scrapes and bruises, the injured girl bravely continued her walk to school immediately following the incident, as shown in school security cameras.
Following the incident, the Plano Police Department withheld the suspect’s identity, releasing Beltran’s name only after securing an arrest warrant on December 20th. This delay sparked a flurry of speculation about a possible cover-up by the police, with allegations fervently discussed online and within the community.
It took over two weeks for authorities to arrest Beltran, who they took into custody around 1 pm on a Thursday in a nearby city where she resided. In response to the outrage on social media, the Plano Police Department issued statements to clarify the investigation process and their decisions regarding public disclosures.
Zulma Beltran previously lived in Plano before moving to Richardson, Dallas, and had a history of minor legal issues, including shoplifting and a charge related to her child’s attendance at school. In her police interview, Beltran expressed regret for fleeing the scene and acknowledged her responsibility in the accident.
Plano Police quoted her remorse during an official statement: "The driver has been identified, interviewed, and admitted to her involvement in the hit-and-run. She expressed deep regret for not remaining at the scene to ensure the child’s safety."
As the case against Beltran unfolds, authorities keep her in custody at Plano City Jail. The incident has sparked not only legal repercussions but also a discourse on road safety and the responsibilities of drivers in accidents. Plano’s traffic unit leads the investigation, analyzing additional evidence as part of their ongoing efforts to determine the full circumstances of the incident.
The Plano Police Department publicly acknowledged the community’s significant role in aiding the investigation. The public’s prompt response to police requests for information regarding the black SUV greatly expedited the process toward a resolution and possibly prevented further incidents by ensuring Beltran’s arrest.
In the wake of the incident and subsequent arrest, the community and law enforcement officials have prioritized ensuring more transparency and swiftness in handling such cases. Residents and police actively review the protocols for informing the public in similar situations to foster trust and enhance public safety.
The Plano Police Department demonstrates an evolving approach to sharing information during ongoing investigations, striving to balance the investigation's integrity with addressing public concerns about safety and justice.
As the community and the victim's family pursue closure, road safety experts and local authorities closely examine this incident to shape future policies on public disclosure and driver accountability in accident scenarios. While Beltran’s court dates remain pending, discussions continue to focus on the broader implications for community safety and law enforcement practices.
