Public Tips Lead to Arrest in El Paso Scooter Hit-and-Run

On April 12, 2025, the El Paso Special Traffic Investigations Unit responded to a crash involving a scooter and a vehicle at the intersection of Piedras Street and Tularosa Avenue.

The investigation revealed that 32-year-old Samuel Bryan Ponce was driving his scooter southbound on Piedras approaching Tularosa. At the same time, 18-year-old Carlos Manuel Rivera was driving a 2014 Chevrolet Malibu northbound on Piedras and entered the mandatory left turn lane to go east on Tularosa. However, Rivera continued northbound and struck Ponce’s scooter.

Rivera then fled the scene northbound on Piedras. Ponce was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Following anonymous tips from the public, police identified Rivera as the driver and arrested him on April 21, 2025. He is charged with Collision Involving Personal Injury or Death (Serious Injuries), and his bond was set at $50,000 by Judge Myers.

Police are still searching for the black 2014 Chevrolet Malibu with Texas license plate CMZ0955.

If anyone has information about this case, please contact the police at the non-emergency number of 915-832-4400, or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers of El Paso at (915) 566-TIPS(8477)