DES MOINES, IA - On Thanksgiving Day, police and paramedics responded to the intersection of S.E. 14th Street and Watrous Avenue, where they found a man in critical condition lying in the street. He had been hit by a vehicle, that sped off following the crash, according to witnesses.
The man was transported to MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center, where he was soon pronounced dead from massive internal injuries.
Following the crash, the Des Moines Police Department released the following statement:
Des Moines Police Department Traffic Unit investigators are requesting the community's assistance with locating a hit and driver who struck and killed a pedestrian on Thanksgiving. Please take a look, share, and contact us if you believe that you have any helpful information.
Police also released a photo of the suspect vehicle fleeing the scene.
A short time later, investigators received an anonymous tip which led them to the vehicle involved in the fatal crash, as well as to the driver.
Lim Bol Chuol, 22, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and having no insurance. On November 29, he was booked into the Polk County Jail at 12:55 a.m., and subsequently released at 9:52 a.m.
Despite the seriousness of the charges, Chuol was inexplicably spent a mere nine hours behind bars, following his arrest. This reporter could not even find out the amount of his bail, or if he was even given one at an arraignment.
Local law enforcement have been very tight-lipped, not only about the details of Chuol's release, but have also failed to release many details about the crime, including the identity of the victim.
So, where is this South Sudanese immigrant, who is now charged with the death of another man?
