Media note: Click on the photo for surveillance video of the hit-and-run

Broward Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit detectives arrested Demetrius Etienne in connection with the hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian on Nov. 22 in Tamarac.   

According to investigators, the hit-and-run occurred at approximately 11:56 p.m., that Saturday, near the 5000 block of North State Road 7 in Tamarac. Surveillance video of the crash shows Shane Delinks crossing the southbound lanes of North State Road 7 mid-block just north of Commercial Boulevard. Meanwhile, the driver of a silver Toyota Camry, now identified as Etienne, was traveling southbound in the left thru lane when the driver’s side of the front bumper collided with Delinks in a sideswipe type crash. 

After the initial impact, Delinks fell to the pavement and remained in the roadway between the left and center thru lanes. As Delinks was lying on the roadway, an unknown black sedan traveled over the pedestrian and continued southbound. At this time, other drivers noticed Delinks on the road and stopped.  

Meanwhile, the cameras captured Etienne when he pulled into the parking lot of a nearby Shell gas station and exited his vehicle. 

Etienne walked back towards the final resting place of Delinks. Etienne remained on the sidewalk along the west side of the roadway while good Samaritans attempted to render aid to Delinks. The video captured Etienne as he returned to the Toyota and proceeded to flee the scene driving southbound on North State Road 7. 

Tamarac Fire Rescue responded and transported Delinks to Broward Health Medical Center in critical condition. Days later, Delinks died as a result of his injuries. 

Through investigative methods and with the assistance of BSO’s Real Time Crime Center (RTCC) BSO traffic homicide detectives were able to locate the vehicle and identified the suspect as Etienne. He was transported to BSO’s Main Jail. Etienne faces several charges including leaving the scene of an accident-causing death and tampering with evidence. 

The investigation into the crash continues.