A Dallas man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash in Oak Cliff that left a woman with catastrophic injuries, as her family now faces the heartbreaking decision to remove her from life support.
Lisa Marie Martinez was struck while riding her bicycle on August 24 in the 1200 block of North Westmoreland Road. The collision left her with broken legs, a broken pelvis, a broken arm, and severe internal injuries that she has been unable to overcome in the three weeks since the crash.
Her sister Eve Martinez Zamago said the family has decided to take Martinez off the ventilator. “She doesn’t deserve to suffer no more” Zamago said adding that the family agreed it was time for her to go home to glory.
Dallas police arrested 45-year-old Octavio Ramirez in connection with the crash. According to an arrest warrant Ramirez was driving southbound behind Martinez when his vehicle struck her bicycle and he fled the scene without stopping.
Investigators used Flock camera technology to track down Ramirez’s vehicle. The car was captured on camera driving near the crash site approximately three hours after the incident with visible debris from the collision still on the vehicle.
Police said Ramirez admitted to being involved in the crash after he was identified by investigators. He now faces charges related to the hit-and-run that left Martinez fighting for her life.
For Martinez’s children and siblings the arrest brings some measure of accountability during an otherwise devastating time. The family is now dealing with mounting medical bills while also preparing for a funeral they never anticipated.
Zamago said despite the grief the family is focused on preserving Martinez’s memory for the younger generation. “She can rest well now at peace” Zamago said.
The case highlights the role of Flock safety cameras which have increasingly been used by Dallas law enforcement to identify and locate suspects in hit-and-run cases across the city.