Texas Man Gets Prison Time in Hit-and-Run That Killed Veteran in Indianapolis

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INDIANAPOLIS–A man from Houston, Texas was sentenced to more than 5 years in prison on Friday for killing a military veteran in a hit-and-run crash in Indianapolis in March 2024.

Salvador Banales pleaded guilty to two counts of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury or death. James Breedlove died. He served in the United States Air Force and was an organ donor.

Police say during the incident, Banales hit three people at Massachusetts and North College Avenues. Breedlove was one of the people Banales hit and he died two days after the crash.

Detectives said even about 13 hours after the crash, Banales’ breath still smelled strongly of alcohol.

At his sentencing hearing on Friday, Balanes said he was “extremely remorseful.” He also said he made a mistake and is willing to pay for his actions and that he drove away from the scene out of fear and panic.