Austin police are looking for a hit-and-run driver who bailed out of a stolen car and took off on foot after a crash in Dove Springs, and they are hoping someone in the neighborhood recognizes him.
Investigators say the man was behind the wheel of a stolen vehicle that wrecked at the intersection of Stonleigh Place and Blue Meadow Drive on Tuesday. Instead of sticking around to swap information or check whether anyone needed help, officers say he ran off, even though a dash camera inside the stolen car captured the whole thing.
Detectives have shared images pulled from that footage. The suspect is described as a white or Hispanic man in his 20s to 30s, with dark hair and a goatee.
APD Detectives Search for a Suspect in Connection to Auto Theft, Failure to Give Information and Render Aid Collision - https://t.co/2ip9XRtPp4 pic.twitter.com/op2lywGVlj
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) April 9, 2026
APD Lays Out the Case
According to the Austin Police Department, the collision happened on March 31 and is listed under case number 26-0900964. Police say the car had already been reported stolen before the crash.
A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information that leads to an arrest in the case, APD notes.
How to Get a Tip to Investigators
Anyone with information can send an anonymous tip to Austin Crime Stoppers or call 512-472-8477, according to the City of Austin.
For leads tied specifically to stolen vehicles, the department’s Auto Theft Unit can be reached at (512) 974-5265, as listed in the city’s press releases.
What the Law Says About Leaving the Scene
Walking away from a crash is not just bad form, it can be a crime. Under state law, a driver involved in a collision that causes or is reasonably likely to cause injury is required to stop and render aid.
Per the Texas Transportation Code § 550.021, failing to do so can bring fines and jail time, and in cases involving serious injury or death the charge can rise to a felony.
Why Detectives Need Neighborhood Eyes
Vehicle crimes have kept Austin police busy. Reporting by KUT found more than 8,200 vehicle break-ins in 2024, and city officials have pointed to license plate reader pilot programs that helped recover dozens of stolen cars.
In that environment, detectives often rely on neighbors’ security cameras, dash cams and tips from the public to put names to faces and track down stolen vehicles.
What Police Want From the Public
Investigators say they want to hear from anyone who recognizes the man in the released images or who has dash-cam or surveillance video from around Stonleigh Place and Blue Meadow Drive at the time of the crash.
Tipsters are asked to reference case number 26-0900964 when contacting Austin Crime Stoppers or calling 512-472-8477. For information that may help with the stolen-vehicle side of the case, the Auto Theft Unit’s contact number is listed on the city’s press page.
