A deadly December hit-and-run on Indianapolis’ west side has now turned into an active manhunt, after a judge on Tuesday issued an arrest warrant for Damarthson Daniel. Investigators say Daniel was behind the wheel of the SUV that struck a woman and then took off, leaving her to die near the intersection of South Girls School Road and Rockville Road on Dec. 26, 2025. The victim, identified in court records as Tanya Ethridge, was later pronounced dead at a hospital. The warrant charges Daniel with one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
IMPD detectives first responded to the early-morning crash, then later found an unoccupied SUV in the 500 block of Beachway Drive, which was towed for evidence, according to WRTV. Neighbors told reporters that the stretch of Girls School Road near Rockville has seen multiple wrecks and lacks sidewalks, a combination they say has long been an accident waiting to happen. Advocates note the city has plans on paper to fix the corridor, and City-County Councilor Jared Evans has pointed to the Girls School Road Complete Streets project as the intended overhaul.
Evidence and the Warrant
Court documents reviewed by FOX59 say license-plate reader cameras, surveillance video and cell-phone records placed the Subaru near the crash site and showed Daniel behind the wheel of the same vehicle later abandoned at the Boardwalk at Westlake apartments. Investigators say another driver followed the SUV from the scene to the apartment complex and called police. The SUV, registered to Daniel, was then impounded as evidence.
IMPD spokesman Tommy Thompson urged the public to speak up if they know anything, saying the case “shows how hard and diligent they work” as detectives continue to track down leads.
Legal Context
Daniel faces one count of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Under Indiana law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death or catastrophic injury is charged under Indiana Code § 9-26-1-1.1 and can be prosecuted as a Level 4 felony, a serious offense that carries substantial prison time if there is a conviction. Any eventual sentence will depend on decisions by prosecutors and the court (FindLaw).
Neighbors Call for Safer Streets
The crash has renewed long-standing calls from neighbors and safety advocates for sidewalks and traffic-calming measures along Girls School Road, which has been the site of repeated collisions, according to WRTV. Advocates and local cycling groups argue that better infrastructure could help prevent tragedies like this one, and council leaders maintain that improvements for the corridor are in the pipeline.
With the warrant now issued, authorities are actively searching for Daniel. IMPD is asking anyone with information to contact the department’s non-emergency line or Crime Stoppers as detectives continue gathering evidence and await prosecutorial review.
