DES MOINES, IA – The Des Moines Police Department has identified the victim of a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred over the weekend. David Molina Ramirez, 62, was struck by a vehicle while walking through an alley near the 1100 block of E. 9th Street on Saturday. Authorities believe the driver fled the scene immediately after the collision, leaving Ramirez to die.
According to investigators, Ramirez may have been lying in the alley for several hours before his body was discovered. Police received a call about a pedestrian struck by a vehicle and responded to find Ramirez deceased at the scene. The exact time of the incident remains unclear, but evidence suggests it occurred during late night or early morning hours.
Detectives are urging anyone with information about the crash to come forward. They are particularly interested in speaking with witnesses who may have seen a suspicious vehicle in the area or noticed any unusual activity near E. 9th Street between Friday night and Saturday morning. The department’s Traffic Unit is leading the investigation and reviewing available surveillance footage.
Ramirez was a longtime Des Moines resident known for his kindness and community involvement. Neighbors described him as a hardworking man who often walked through the neighborhood to and from his job. His sudden death has left family and friends devastated as they struggle to understand why the driver chose to flee rather than help.
The police department has established multiple ways for the public to share information about the case. Residents can call the Traffic Unit directly at 515-323-8375 or submit anonymous tips through the DMPD mobile app. A reward is being offered for information that leads to identifying the driver responsible for this tragic incident.
As the investigation continues, authorities vow to pursue all leads until justice is served. Community members have begun placing flowers and memorials near the site of the crash to honor Ramirez’s memory. Police remind drivers that fleeing the scene of an accident, especially one involving injuries or death, carries severe legal consequences in Iowa.
