WEST PRICE HILL — Josue Lopez Gonzalez appeared before Hamilton County Municipal Court Judge Donte Johnson on June 23, 2026, where he was arraigned on felony charges of aggravated vehicular homicide and failure to stop after an accident. These charges stem from a collision that killed 46-year-old Percy Reliford in West Price Hill, Cincinnati.

Prosecutors said in court that Gonzalez admitted to police he lost control of his vehicle on May 16, struck something, and then drove away. Investigators stated Gonzalez was driving without a license when he struck a utility trailer, which resulted in Reliford's death. Prosecutors also stated that a neighbor's surveillance camera recorded the crash, and that neighbor then called 911.

Investigators tracked the vehicle involved in the crash to its owner. The vehicle owner informed police that his employee, Gonzalez, was driving the vehicle at the time of the incident. It took police more than a month to locate Gonzalez.

Officers said that when located, Gonzalez told them he left the scene because he did not have a license and was afraid. Court records show Gonzalez had a conviction last year for failing to have reasonable control of his vehicle, a case that ended in a fine.

During the hearing, Reliford's family attended and told Judge Johnson that they believed Gonzalez should be held in jail without bond. They stated that Reliford was a father of six and was working at the time of the crash. Gonzalez's lawyer stated her client has a 1-year-old child whom he supports and has held his current job for three years.

Judge Johnson set Gonzalez's bond at $110,000. Gonzalez is being held at the Hamilton County Justice Center, and a grand jury is expected to review the case by July 2.