Arrest Made in Connection to Fatal Hit & Run Accident Last July

The allegedly driver and his fiance are facing separate charges.

Jeovany Mendez and Guisela Lopez Gomez. Photos provided.

(Boone County, Ky.) – An arrest has been made in connection to a fatal accident that occurred along Dixie Highway last July.

The Boone County Sheriff’s Office announced today the arrest of Jeovany Alexander Mendez, 28.

Mendez is charged with Reckless Homicide, Leaving the Scene of an Accident, Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degre and Possession of an Open Alcohol Container in connection with a July 2, 2023, fatal hit and run.

Simon Aguilar, 38, was riding his bicycle alongside Dixie Highway in Florence when he was fatally struck by a Ford F-150. Deputies located the abandoned truck just south of the accident scene, and the driver was later identified as Mendez – who was never located upon fleeing the scene.

The United States Marshals Service (USMS) Fugitive Task Force led the investigation into capturing Mendez. Despite family ties to northern Kentucky, Mendez fled the area and resided in different states such as Ohio, Tennessee and North Carolina.

On Wednesday, USMS received a tip that Mendez had returned and was currently on Dream Street in Florence. There, his fiancé and two children were observed in a motel parking lot getting into an SUV driven by Mendez. The vehicle was stopped, and Mendez was placed under arrest without incident.

Upon arrest, Mendez was allegedly found in possession of fraudulent identification cards. His fiancé, Guisela Lopez Gomez was also taken into custody after she was allegedly in possession of two fraudulent Social Security cards and a fraudulent identification card.

Gomez is charged with Theft of Identity and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument 2nd Degree. She has since been released from jail after posting $2,500 cash bond.

Mendez is held at the Boone County Detention Center on an Immigration Detainer.