Suspect still wanted one year after deadly McGregor hit and run

One year ago, a woman seemingly planned to turn herself in after a deadly hit and run, but it never happened.

Rosalia Tejeda Diaz is still wanted for hitting and killing Kate Johnson and her dog on Jan. 22, 2020, when they were out for a walk. Diaz told police she wanted to turn herself in, but the Florida Highway Patrol says she never showed up at the Lee County Jail.

This development was a hard pill for investigators to swallow, but it was even harder for Phish Ross, Johnson’s boyfriend.

“The buildup is there,” Ross said. “Yes, we wanna get her caught, and when we hear that we’re close to apprehending her, yes, I start to get anxiety, and no, we haven’t got her. We were close, but we haven’t got her.”

Ross says one year later, things haven’t gotten easier for him. The images of Diaz’s car after striking Johnson are still haunting to look at.

“I feel as time draws on, it does get harder,” Ross said. “I feel that the case will not be resolved, that she will not be apprehended. I just… time draws on and no results—kinda leaves you a little empty.”

Diaz ditched the car in a garage with its hood battered and windshield shattered. Since then, she has been on the run.

“She can run, she can hide, but at some point she’s gonna come up for air, she’s gonna make a mistake, and law enforcement is gonna be right there to slap cuffs on her,” said Trish Routte with Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers.

Diaz is currently facing charges of leaving the scene of a death and first-degree felony; she could face up to 30 years in jail.

Crime Stoppers says anyone hiding Diaz is just as guilty and could face charges as well. The FHP says there is reason to believe she could have left Southwest Florida or even the state. Anyone who knows her whereabouts is asked to call the FHP or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-8477.