Driver Accused in Fatal Hit-and-Run Says He Thought He Hit a Snowbank

DUNDALK — The hit-and-run driver who allegedly struck and killed a 19-year-old pedestrian last month said he didn’t stop because he thought he’d hit a snowbank, not a person, according to court records. 

Angel Quizhpi Tenezaca, 40, was in court via video Friday for a bail review hearing at the Baltimore County Circuit Court. He is charged with multiple citations related to failure to remain at the scene of a crash, according to court records.

Family members of the victim and defendant packed the courtroom Friday. Many wore t-shirts reading, “Justice for Todd Alan Hines Jr.” 

Hines was struck and killed January 27 near the 5200 block of North Point Boulevard in Dundalk. Someone found Hines on the side of the road around 7:30 a.m. with broken car parts near his body, according to charging documents. Hines was pronounced dead at the scene.

Video surveillance from a nearby business captured the impact by a 2006 Ford F-250 extended cab pickup truck, according to charging documents. 

Police later located Quizhpi Tenezaca driving a vehicle fitting the description with damage consistent with the crash, according to court documents.

Quizhpi Tenezaca told officers he was driving to a nearby Amazon fulfillment center when he hit what he thought was a snowbank. He said he didn’t know the truck sustained damage until a co-worker pointed it out. 

 Quizphi Tenezca, who has no criminal history in the last ten year,  was assessed to have the lowest level of risk for release by the Baltimore County Department of Corrections.

Judge Robert Cahill ordered Quizhpi Tenezaca held without bail on home detention, allowing him to go to work and medical appointments while wearing an ankle monitor.  He will not be allowed to drive.