Ex-Carmichael Man Suspect in Reno Fatal Hit-and-Run

A former Carmichael resident was released Monday from a Reno jail after being arrested Sunday in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that killed a TV sports reporter, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.

Ryan Joseph Rhea, the suspect arrested Sunday related to the incident that killed KTVN Channel 2 sports director JK Metzker was released from Washoe County Jail on $10,000 bail, the RGJ reported.

Rhea, 23, moved to Reno from Carmichael, after having served in Iraq with the Army’s 82nd Airborne, one of Rhea’s relatives told the Reno newspaper. He has been living in the neighboring city of Sparks, Nev. with his father and going to college, Rhea’s mother, Christine Borovac of Carmichael told the paper.

"Our family is devastated, but I am more devastated for the family of the man he hit," Borovac told the RGJ."I'm also afraid my son won't be able to handle something like this. I'm worried that he is going to do something to himself."

Metzker, 41, succumbed to his injuries Sunday at Reno's Renown Medical Center, according to the Reno Police Department.

Rhea was booked into the Washoe County Jail for one felony count of hit and run causing death. Alcohol does appear to be a factor in this case, Reno police said. The investigation is continuing and additional charges may be filed pending results of blood tests completed.

On Saturday at about 11:50 p.m., officers from the Reno Police Department responded to the area of 17th and Virginia St. just off the University of Nevada, Reno campus on the report of a vehicle versus pedestrian accident. The Nevada football team had a home game earlier that day against Hawaii.

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