Hit-and-Run Crash Kills Young Indiana Man, Leaves Community in Shock
Well, folks, this case shook Indiana. A young man lost his life too soon. A reckless driver tried to run from his mistakes. But now, justice has caught up. A judge handed down a 21-year sentence for the hit-and-run crash that killed 27-year-old Brandon Breedlove in Indianapolis. His family will never be the same.
The tragedy happened in the early hours of March 9, 2024. Salvador Banales, a 28-year-old man from Texas, was behind the wheel. He hit three pedestrians and sped off into the night. One man didn’t survive. Two others were injured. Banales didn’t stop to help. Instead, he ran away like a coward.
Hit-and-Run Crash Suspect Tries to Cover His Tracks But Fails
Banales thought he could get away with it. The day after the crash, he tried to fool authorities. He reported damageto his rental car. Banales claimed vandals did it. He was about to board a flight home to Texas when police caught up with him.
Detectives weren’t fooled. They connected the damage on his Mustang to the hit-and-run crash. They found human tissue, blood, and a broken mirror. The evidence was clear. Banales couldn’t talk his way out of this one.
Hit-and-Run Crash Victim’s Mother Speaks Out in Emotional Testimony
Brandon Breedlove was a son, a friend, and a bright light in the community. His mother, Catherine Hester, stood in court and spoke through tears. She told the judge how her life changed forever.
“My world is empty,” she said. “My only child is gone forever.” She remembered getting that early morning call. She rushed to the hospital. But it was too late. Her son had already passed.
She described her heartbreak. The mother spoke about the pain she feels every single day. She will never hear his laugh again. She will never see him grow older. The grief does not go away.
Hit-and-Run Crash Suspect Tries to Apologize, But It’s Too Late
Banales had his turn to speak. He looked at the family. Banales tried to apologize. He said he made a mistake. Also he said he was working on himself. He claimed he wasn’t the same man he was that night.
But words don’t change what happened. Words don’t bring Brandon back. The victim’s family was not moved. They wanted real justice.
Hit-and-Run Crash Sentence Brings Some Closure to the Family
The judge handed down the sentence. Banales will serve 5.5 years in prison. He will spend four years on probation. He lost his license for five years. When he drives again, he must use an ignition interlock device. The rest of his sentence was suspended.
The community feels a small sense of justice. But no sentence can bring Brandon back. His family will grieve forever. And Indiana will remember this case for a long time.
