Man brought from Utah to face charge

He was accused in fatal hit and run in Broward

A Fort Lauderdale man accused in a fatal hit and run was brought back from Utah to face the charges, court records show.

According to the arrest warrant, Gary Estalis, 29, was driving his 2007 blue Honda Accord west in the 3000 block of West Sunrise Boulevard about 9 p.m. May 24 when he struck and killed pedestrian Cecil K. Harden, who was crossing the street.

Estalis kept driving until he pulled into the parking lot of a McDonald’s restaurant several blocks away. There were two witnesses to the crash and surveillance video of Estalis at the McDonald’s.

There was heavy damage to the Honda’s windshield, front hood and roof, investigators said.

Estalis walked away from the vehicle and did not report the fatal incident until the next day, records showed.

During questioning, Estalis admitted to being involved in the fatal crash, said Broward Sheriff’s detectives.

Estalis arranged to surrender in Broward but said he went to visit his wife in Utah — where he was arrested for fraudulent use of a credit card, according to court records.

Estalis was extradited to Broward and arrested Friday on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death, records show.

At h i s first court appearance Saturday morning, Broward Judge Florence Taylor Barner set bond at $100,000 even though she said she was inclined to increase it.

“This case does give me some pause,” she said. “It’s alleged that you hit someone and you left the scene and left them dead in the streets and then fled.”

She also ordered that Estalis not drive, that he turn over his passport, and that he wear a GPS ankle monitor if he is released from the Broward County Jail.

Estalis