Police were suspicious of Angel Roque’s story early in their investigation of a hit-and-run crash on Sept. 29 that took the life of a Wissinoming woman.
Those suspicions came to fruition on Oct. 12 when criminal charges were filed against Roque, who allegedly claimed falsely that his truck had been stolen from him before the crash.
Authorities now allege that Angel Roque, 28, of the 4800 block of Devereaux Ave. was, in fact, behind the wheel of the blue 1993 GMC pickup truck with distinctive silver flames painted on its sides that struck and killed Joyce Kenny, 46, on the 5400 block of Torresdale Ave.
Kenny was walking across the street, reportedly on her way to work, when the northbound vehicle struck her.
The crash occurred at 6:49 a.m. Shortly afterward, Roque called police to report that his truck had been stolen. At about 7:30 a.m., officers found the unattended and damaged vehicle on the 5900 block of Milnor St.
Police initially said that Roque was cooperating with the investigation that ultimately led them back to him. He allegedly made up the story about the truck theft to cover up his actual role in the crash.
Roque was charged with homicide by vehicle, driving while under the influence, causing an accident involving injury or death, filing false reports, tampering with evidence and related charges.
According to court records, Roque was already on probation for another traffic crash involving alcohol and/or drugs.
That incident occurred on Feb. 1, 2008, in the 25th Police District. At least three people were injured, but there were no fatalities, according to police sources. A prosecutor in Roque’s new case declined to discuss circumstances of the earlier case.
In the 2008 case, Roque eventually pleaded guilty to causing an accident involving death or personal injury and was sentenced by Common Pleas Court Judge Linda Carpenter to three years probation.
In exchange for the plea, the district attorney’s office dropped numerous other charges, including drug possession, drug distribution, driving while under the influence, assault and reckless endangerment.
He remains in jail in lieu of $500,000 bail and is scheduled for an Oct. 26 preliminary hearing. ••
