Yepez Diaz

A Marshalltown man has been charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident causing death after a hit and run accident that left a woman dead just over three weeks ago.

According to a press release from the Marshalltown Police Department, Edgar Yepez Diaz, 36, was arrested on Monday after an investigation into a hit and run that resulted in the death of 30-year-old Melanie Nelson on Nov. 1 at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and Main Street. At 10:06 p.m. that night, officers and medics were dispatched to the scene for a report of a subject who had been struck by a vehicle. Witnesses reported that the striking vehicle, possibly a Ram, took off from the scene without stopping.

Officers arrived on scene shortly thereafter and began providing medical treatment to Nelson, who was transported to the local UnityPoint hospital and later succumbed to her injuries.

Investigators used information and evidence from the scene, along with Marshalltown Crime Stoppers Cameras and FLOCK in the area of the accident, to identify a suspect vehicle, which was located in Marshalltown the following morning.

A lengthy investigation led to the arrest of Yepez Diaz, who was charged with homicide by vehicle and leaving the scene of an accident causing death, both Class C felonies, and child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor.

The MPD was assisted in this investigation by the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol, and the Marshall County Attorney’s Office. The investigation remains active. Bond, hearing and trial information were not immediately available on Monday night.