Houston Musician Ezequiel Quintanilla Dead: Hit-and-Run Suspect Pleads Guilty Nearly 2 Years After the Accident

The suspected driver of the hit-and-run incident that killed Houston musician Ezequiel Quintanilla has pleaded guilty to the charges.

The man named Gregory Dewayne Smith received his sentence on Thursday, October 19, as the judge gave him nine years imprisonment after admitting his guilt to causing the 32-year-old musician's death.

What Happened?

According to ABC 13, the hit-and-run happened on January 31, 2022, at 11043 Fuqua Street. Quintanilla and a 27-year-old woman were in the parking lot after watching a performance of a friend's band at the El Buho bar.

While walking in the area, Smith hit them with his truck, which left the Houston musician dead at the scene.

The woman survived but sustained injuries, per the investigators.

The court records disclosed that Smith's passenger informed the police they had drunk that night and heard the suspect say, "he yelled he thought he just ran over someone," before fleeing the scene.

Smith had a personal bond for a misdemeanor DWI when the hit-and-run happened.

Who Was Ezequiel Quintanilla?

The accident cut Quintanilla's dreams short, as he was a well-known accordion player in the state at the time of his death.

"It's been terrible. I can't even talk about it that much because I start choking up," his brother Noe Quintanilla said. "He was a happy person. He had no enemies. He was a hard worker. Only somebody who has no conscience would do something like that. You can't even classify someone like that as a person."

After running away from the scene, Smith planned to turn himself nearly two months after the fatal tragedy.

It remains unknown what exact charges the man received, but lawyers previously said prior to the release of the probe results that Quintanilla's family might file a wrongful death claim.

"The stress and sorrow can be extremely overwhelming after losing a loved one in an accident," Stefano Formica said, per The Legal Advocate. "We understand just what families are forced to go through, and having their rights protected is vital. A wrongful death lawyer will stay updated on the official investigation and help ensure that their legal rights and best interests are protected."