JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 24-year-old man accused of fleeing after causing a fiery Jacksonville crash that killed a 27-year-old woman has been arrested after an eight-month search, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
Alexander Rivera-Russo was taken into custody at a home in the Oakleaf area of Clay County with assistance from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office.
The arrest stems from a Jan. 2 crash on University Boulevard that killed Savana Pendarvis.
Pendarvis, 27, was driving on University Boulevard when her vehicle was struck from behind by a speeding car driven by Rivera-Russo, according to investigators.
The impact pushed Pendarvis’ vehicle into a utility pole, where it caught fire.
Emergency crews responded but were unable to save Pendarvis. People traveling in another vehicle were also injured in the crash, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators said Rivera-Russo left the scene following the collision.
Detectives with JSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit identified Rivera-Russo as the suspected driver, but authorities were unable to locate him.
The Sheriff’s Office worked with a U.S. Marshals task force during the search and released Rivera-Russo’s photograph publicly several times while asking for information about his whereabouts.
Investigators said leads eventually became scarce, but detectives continued searching for him.
Authorities tracked Rivera-Russo to a residence in the Oakleaf area of Clay County, where he was arrested with assistance from Clay County deputies.
Rivera-Russo is expected to face multiple charges, including leaving the scene of a crash involving a death, according to JSO.
Investigators also said they are looking into whether anyone helped Rivera-Russo avoid authorities while he was wanted.
Rivera-Russo will be held at the Duval County Jail.