Man accused of deadly hit-and-run near Beatrice arraigned

LINCOLN, Neb, (1011 Now) - A Texas man accused of hitting and killing a pedestrian in Gage County earlier this month was arraigned on Tuesday.

Rene Castaneda, 34, is charged with motor vehicle homicide with a prior DUI conviction, manslaughter, and failing to stop and render aid. His bond was set at 10% of $1 million.

At 1:15 a.m. on Aug. 9, Gage County Sheriff’s deputies were called about a male pedestrian who had been hit by a vehicle on Highway 4, northwest of Beatrice. Arriving deputies found the victim, Trevor Garton, laying on the side of the highway. He died at the scene, according to court documents.

An initial accident investigation revealed that Garton was walking westbound on Highway 4 when he was hit by a vehicle. Vehicle parts were found laying on the ground nearby.

Based on the scene, deputies determined the driver had fled the scene prior to their arrival, consistent with a hit-and-run.

A Gage County Sheriff’s deputy received a phone call in regard to the fatal hit-and-run later that morning. The caller reported that Castaneda said he had been in a crash while driving a company-owned pickup truck, documents show.

The caller reviewed the pickup’s in-car camera and discovered that Castaneda had hit a pedestrian and not an animal, which is what Castaneda originally reported, documents allege.

Authorities contacted Castaneda who said he was at a restaurant in Beatrice with other employees when he consumed six draft beers. Based on the court documents, authorities believe he hit Garton when he was heading home.

That night, another driver reported seeing Garton walking on the highway, even swerving to miss hitting him. Castaneda told deputies he had been drinking just hours before the crash.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 5 at 4 p.m.