Local Man Receives 6-Year Sentence for Deadly Thanksgiving Hit-and-Run

21-Year-Old Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal Hit-and-Run Crash

Manuel Ramirez Canchola, a 21-year-old from San Juan, entered a guilty plea in court on Thursday for his involvement in a tragic Thanksgiving hit-and-run incident that occurred in 2022. Canchola, who struck and killed 54-year-old Gilberto Delgado before fleeing the scene, was sentenced to six years in prison, taking into account the time he has already served in the Hidalgo County Adult Detention Center.

According to reports, Canchola was driving a 2015 Nissan Altima on S. Cage Boulevard in Pharr around 10:14 p.m. when the fatal collision took place. Following his confession and surrender to authorities, Pharr police charged him with accident involving death.

Accompanying Canchola at the time of the incident was his passenger, 21-year-old Natalie Monique Carreon from Pharr. Carreon faced a charge of failure to report a felony involving death, to which she pleaded not guilty. She claimed that she hit Delgado after another vehicle had already struck him and left the scene.

Key Details from the Investigation:

1. Another vehicle was involved in the crash, but the driver remained at the scene.
2. Witnesses reported seeing a black passenger vehicle hitting Delgado and fleeing the scene.
3. Surveillance footage captured Canchola's damaged vehicle and his attempts to fix it before leaving.

What do you think?

• Should hit-and-run offenders face stricter penalties?
• Is it fair for passengers in such incidents to be charged as well?
• How can hit-and-run accidents be prevented in the future?