Hit and run suspect remains in custody

Judge ordered man released, but police successfully refile charges

YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A Yuma judge ordered the suspect in a deadly hit and run released Tuesday afternoon, but on Tuesday night, he remained in custody.

Judge Darci D. Weede ruled the Yuma Police Department (YPD) had not filed the paperwork needed to formally charge the man. Judge Weede said he must be released by six Tuesday evening.

However, the victim's family tells KYMA.com police did manage to file the documents needed to keep the suspect in custody. He'll now be arraigned Wednesday on multiple felony charges, including leaving the scene of an accident involving death or injury.

KYMA.com will not release the suspect's name until he is formally charged per editorial our policy.

Police arrested the 44-year-old man last Friday in connection with a July 29th crash on Avenue 6E and 32nd Street. That accident killed 68-year-old Debra Woods.

Related: $100,000 bail for Yuma man arrested in connection with a deadly crash

Woods' family told KYMA.com "YPD worked very hard to correct its mistake." They also say their loved one didn't deserve to be taken away from them.

News 11, CBS 13, and KYMA.com will be in court Wednesday for the suspect's formal charging, and will bring you an update then.