Man Arrested in New Jersey in Connection with 1997 Des Moines Hit-and-Run

Greenville Spartanburg Asheville Anderson, SC, October 1, 2026 — A man has been arrested in New Jersey in connection with a deadly hit-and-run incident that occurred nearly 30 years ago in Des Moines, Iowa. Authorities were able to locate and apprehend the suspect following a tip received by law enforcement.

The breakthrough in the cold case reportedly came after a rerun of the television show “America’s Most Wanted” featured the 1997 incident. This airing prompted an individual to submit a tip to the relevant authorities.

The incident in question, a deadly hit-and-run, took place in 1997. Details regarding the specific circumstances of the event, including the vehicle involved or the victim, were not immediately available. The man arrested is alleged to be connected to this decades-old case.

The name of the arrested individual and the exact date of his apprehension in New Jersey were not provided. Similarly, the specific law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation and arrest have not been disclosed. Information concerning any charges filed or pending legal proceedings was also not made public at this time.

“America’s Most Wanted” is a television program known for its focus on fugitive manhunts and unsolved crimes, often providing detailed accounts and appealing to the public for information. The show’s rerun appears to have been instrumental in reopening lines of inquiry that ultimately led to the recent arrest.

The investigation into the 1997 hit-and-run, which had remained unsolved for nearly three decades, was significantly advanced by the tip generated from the program’s broadcast. Further details are expected as the case progresses through the legal system.

Story summarized from the original created by KCRG Staff, Gray News staff on www.foxcarolina.com, see more information here.

Media gallery