Two-year sentence for hitting Digesett agent

A court in Santo Domingo has sentenced Otilio Piña de la Cruz to two years in prison for running a red light and intentionally hitting a traffic agent with his vehicle before fleeing the scene. The incident, which occurred on August 24, 2025, in the Luperón sector of the National District, also resulted in a court order for Piña de la Cruz to pay one million Dominican pesos to the victim, Ariel Mueses José.

The sentence was issued by the Eighth Criminal Chamber of the Court of First Instance of the National District. Piña de la Cruz will serve his sentence at the Najayo Hombres Correction and Rehabilitation Center in San Cristóbal, as determined by Judge Diana Moreno.

During the trial, the Public Ministry presented a range of evidence, including witness testimony, documents, expert reports, and audiovisual materials. This evidence successfully established Piña de la Cruz's criminal responsibility and supported the charge of attempted homicide. According to the investigation led by National District prosecutor Esther Sánchez, Piña de la Cruz was driving in Ensanche Luperón when he disregarded the red traffic signal.

Prosecutors stated that after a Digesett agent signaled him to stop, Piña de la Cruz initially slowed down but then intentionally accelerated, striking the agent before attempting to escape. The court also ordered the confiscation of the vehicle used in the incident, transferring ownership to the Dominican state.

Piña de la Cruz was found guilty of violating articles 2, 295, and 304, paragraph II, of the Dominican Penal Code, as well as provisions of Law 63-17 concerning Mobility, Land Transportation, Traffic, and Road Safety.