Man arrested as suspected accessory to fatal hit-and-run

Record-Eagle, The (Traverse City, MI)

Aug. 21--TRAVERSE CITY -- The brother of a man investigators said was behind the wheel in a fatal hit-and-run was arrested on suspicion of assisting with the crime.

The Michigan State Police Fugitive Team cuffed Christopher Manuel Castillo II around 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, Grand Traverse County Sheriff's Department Capt. Brian Giddis said. They found the 20-year-old at his Taylor home.

Castillo awaits arraignment on a felony charge as an accessory after the fact, according to a warrant entered in 86th District Court record. He's listed in court records as a co-defendant to elder brother Daniel Sanchez Castillo, 35, who surrendered himself to downstate police earlier this month.

Daniel Castillo was arraigned Aug. 13 on a felony charge of failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing death. He also faces two misdemeanors -- operating without insurance and with a suspended, revoked or denied license. He's charged as a fourth-time habitual offender for several Wayne County convictions.

It stems from the evening of July 6, when investigators say Daniel Castillo, driving a Chevy Equinox, ran down 71-year-old Sham Sunder Suri along U.S. 31 North in Traverse City. Suri stepped into the road around 10:15 p.m. -- after dark -- near Sugar Beach Resort between Three and Four Mile roads, far from any designated crosswalks.

The car didn't stop. Instead, investigators said Daniel Castillo pulled into a nearby parking lot and ditched his car, running from the scene after confrontations with witnesses.