Police Release Photo Of Burned Car In Deadly Hit & Run Case
BRECKENRIDGE, Colo. (CBS4)- Police in Breckenridge have released a picture of the burned suspect vehicle allegedly driven by the suspect arrested in a deadly hit-and-run last month.
Cristina Martinez Hernandez was found dead on the side of the road in the 600 block of Airport Road just before 11 p.m. on Aug. 31. Hernandez 26, was pronounced dead at the scene despite attempts by the Red, White & Blue Fire Department to revive her. Police believe the driver struck her and drove away.
Police built a profile of the suspect vehicle from surveillance video. They say he drove away and tried to cover up the crime.
Police in Breckenridge said the final break in the case in their search for the suspect driver came from the Denver Police Department regarding a vehicular arson.
The suspect, Steven James Gravatt, surrendered to authorities on Thursday. Gravatt, 55, is a resident of Blue River.
Investigators are positive they have the right man.
"We were narrowing into it, we were going to do a second interview with Mr. Gravatt and probably from that request an arrest warrant and before we did that he decided to turn himself in," said Breckenridge Asst. Chief of Police Dennis McLaughlin.
Police say he was behind the wheel of a silver Volkswagen Tiguan when he drove to Denver and set it on fire. He was captured when investigators linked the vehicle's registration to Summit County.
Gravatt was booked into the Summit County Jail on charges of tampering with physical evidence, arson and failure to remain at the scene after an accident involving death.
On Friday the judge set his bond at $15,000. The District Attorney had asked for $50,000 and family members of the victim told CBS4 they don't think Gravatt deserves any bail.
"Fifteen thousand is nothing. I think he shouldn't even have a bond right now. He should be in jail until proven guilty," said Hernandez's uncle Ricardo Gutierrez.
Police continue to gather evidence in the case as Hernandez's family vows to push for justice.
