Fatal Kyle Hit And Run Suspect Apprehended

According to Marmolejo, KPD officers responded to a call at about 11:45 a.m. May 27 about a male subject found laying the in grass along the I-35 access road in Kyle at the mile marker 212 near Yarrington Rd.

Kyle, TX – Kyle Police Department confirmed this morning that the suspect in the May 27 fatality hit and run was arrested.

Gilbert Villegas, 47, of San Marcos, was apprehended early this morning in the Houston area by the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force.

He was charged with Accident Involving Death, a second-degree felony.

Villegas is accused of striking John Lyon, 53, of Kyle, while he was riding a bicycle along the I-35 access road in Kyle near Yarrington Rd.

Police believe Villegas, who did not stop to render aid, then fled the Kyle/San Marcos area after the accident.

Lyon was discovered by the driver of another vehicle.

“Based on evidence at the crash scene, authorities were searching for a charcoal gray 2009-2010 Kia Optima that would be missing the right front passenger side mirror and would likely have damage to the bumper on that same side,” Lt. Andre Marmolejo said.

Though Villegas is in custody, police say the vehicle involved in the crash has not been recovered.

“We believe additional individuals and charges may be forthcoming, as it is possible that family or friends aided in covering up details about the accident up to and including hiding the Kia and making false statements to investigators,” Marmolejo said.

KPD Chief Jeff Barnett said he is appreciative of both the excellent investigative work by his officers and the assistance of the Gulf Coast Violent Offender Task Force (in the Houston area), the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force (in the Central Texas area) and the US Marshal’s Office.

“Our investigators used every tool and available technology at their disposal to identify a possible suspect and pursue that lead,” he said. “After hundreds of hours of evidence analysis, data analysis, interviews and searches, the investigators were confident they had established sufficient evidence to charge an individual with the death of Mr. Lyon.”

Barnett specifically commended the KPD Crash Team — an elite group of highly trained officers who reconstruct accident scenes — for its work in locating Villegas.

“These team members went above and beyond their role to locate the man who is now in custody for killing John Lyon,” he said.

Lt. Marmolejo, who oversees and is a member of the KPD Crash Team, said, “Hit and run investigations, especially those involving a deceased victim, are especially complex and challenging. Our crash investigators responded to this incident and began the process of reconstructing the crash, identifying evidence, and establishing leads.”

He added that crash investigators discovered pieces of the suspect’s vehicle on scene, enabling them to identify the make and model of the vehicle.

The Kyle Police Department believes that the vehicle used in this crime is being hidden and is asking for the public’s help in locating it.  The vehicle is described as a dark grey 2010 Kia Optima, bearing Texas license plate DPT7314. 

“If you see this vehicle, please contact the Kyle Police Department at 512-268-3232 or your local law enforcement agency,” Marmolejo said. “We do not advise trying to establish any contact with individuals and urge witnesses to allow law enforcement to handle the situation.”

Background on the Hit and Run:

According to Marmolejo, KPD officers responded to a call at about 11:45 a.m. May 27 about a male subject found laying the in grass along the I-35 access road in Kyle at the mile marker 212 near Yarrington Rd.

They found a male, later identified as John Lyon, who was deceased. Kyle officers said Lyon was struck and killed by a vehicle while riding his bicycle either earlier that morning or at some point over night.