News Update: APD arrests hit-and-run suspect after food truck, pedestrian wreck 

SOUTHEAST AUSTIN, TX – Austin Police announced Tuesday that they found and arrested a hit-and-run suspect responsible for striking four pedestrians and a food truck on Tuesday, Oct. 22nd.

The police department has identified the suspect as 38-year-old Regina Rodela. New details from Fox7Austin show that Rodela was the person responsible for the food truck catching fire when she hit it. Just prior to the fire and collision, which happened around 4:30 p.m. at Elmont Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road, Rodela had accused a man, enjoying a meal from the food truck, called Sabor A Honduras of stealing her cellphone. The man claimed she did not know her, and then Rodela proceeded to ask him if she could buy his phone, to which he replied, “No.” 

After that altercation, Rodela then hit that man, three other people, and then the truck itself, which proceeded to catch on fire. The force of that wreck caused the fridge inside the truck to topple over and hit one of the employees, and the running fryer, and then led to the fire.

Two out of the four pedestrians were hospitalized for serious, non-life-threatening, and minor wounds, while the other two did not require a trip to the hospital. 

Rodela was “charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and with two counts of aggravated assault causing bodily injury.” 

As for the food truck employees, they had to temporarily shut their business and had to pay around $35,000 for a new refrigerator and freezer. They have since reopened. 

Facing a long road to recovery, missed time from work, and dealing with physical and emotional pain is often the troubling reality after a serious wreck. If you are facing these burdens as a result of a crash caused by a reckless driver, please connect with TK Injury Lawyers as soon as possible. The sooner you connect with one of our car accident attorneys, the sooner one of them can work with you to pursue legal recourse in holding the at-fault party accountable for their actions and defend and fight for your right to your deserved settlement/verdict, which can be used to offset medical bills, lost income, property damage costs, and more. Our team is available 24/7 for legal support. We invite you to reach out today, whether by phone at (512) 582-2398 or online, for a free consultation to review your next steps.