Hit-and-run suspect faces immigration detainer, higher bail

Raleigh, N.C. — A Wake County judge increased bail and federal officials put an immigration detainer Friday on the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run on Falls of Neuse Road.

Carlos David Rodriguez-Bautista, 34, faces charges of felony hit-and-run in the death of Lewis Avery Gray, 71, on Wednesday morning. Raleigh police said that Rodriguez-Bautista was driving the first of four vehicles to strike Gray as he was walking across the road.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency placed a detainer on Rodriguez-Bautista. Officials believe the Honduran native might be in the country illegally.

Wake District Judge Ned Mangum increased Rodriguez-Bautista's bail from $8,000 to $25,000 after he found the suspect has been three pending charges of failure to show up for court in Onslow and Alamance counties.

Mangum said that the suspect was also charged with driving while impaired in Raleigh in 2006, but the judge did not the disposition of that case.

Rodriguez-Bautista remained in the Wake County Jail Saturday morning. His next court appearance was set for April 2.

Officers arrested Rodriguez-Bautista after identifying him as the driver of a 2003 Chevrolet passenger van that had heavy front-end damage consistent with having struck a person. Officer M.J. Corso spotted the van while on patrol in the 7200 block of Woodbend Drive shortly before midnight Thursday.

Investigators said they think Rodriguez-Bautista stopped and got out of the van after he hit Gray, then drove away from the scene.

Police also charged Carlos Humberto Agustindiaz, who was driving a truck for Apex-based Parker’s Landscape Services, with misdemeanor hit-and-run in the case.

The drivers of the two other vehicles that hit Gray stayed at the scene and will not be charged, police said.