Driver Gets 15 Years After DNA Links Him to Fatal Hit-and-Run Cover-Up

Justice Served After Years of Investigation

After nearly four years of investigation and legal proceedings, Kenneth Relitz was sentenced to 15 years in prison nearly four years after a deadly crash with a bicyclist, which the state said involved a cover-up . The case against Relitz unraveled through forensic evidence and what prosecutors described as a deliberate attempt to evade responsibility for a fatal collision.

Relitz struck and killed Geoffrey Shafer, 38, who was known to many as the "bike guy," on Sept. 21, 2022 . Shafer was riding his bike around 9:45 a.m. on Culebra Road when he was hit, but police did not identify who hit him . The victim was beloved in his community, with his mother describing the devastating impact of losing her son in such a senseless way.

The Cover-Up Unravels

The investigation took a crucial turn when officers located an abandoned vehicle less than one-half mile away from the crash site the day after the collision. The vehicle's owner, Relitz, told investigators he reported the car missing that day and had been home the night before . This claim would later prove to be part of what prosecutors characterized as an elaborate cover-up attempt.

Forensic evidence painted a different picture entirely. The Golf's windshield was caved in and had damage to the hood, front end and roof. Police said the front bumper had paint transfer that matched the bicycle Shafer was riding and had a bicycle tire imprint . Even more damning, investigators noticed blood on the hand brake, steering wheel, seat belt latch and driver's side door handle, and samples were sent out for testing .

DNA Evidence Breaks the Case

The breakthrough came through modern forensic science. Police said Relitz's DNA matched blood found in the car , definitively linking him to the vehicle at the time of the collision. Relitz and his wife consented to a DNA sample, which came back as a match for Kenneth Relitz . This scientific evidence contradicted his claims of being uninvolved in the incident.

Police arrested Relitz in March 2024 and charged him with collision involving death , nearly two years after the fatal crash. The delay caused additional anguish for Shafer's family, with his mother expressing her pain: "He was walking around for 18 months knowing what he did to my son" .

Implications for Hit-and-Run Cases

This case demonstrates how advances in DNA technology are transforming hit-and-run investigations. The ability to extract and match genetic material from trace blood evidence has become a powerful tool for prosecutors seeking justice in cases where drivers flee the scene. The 15-year sentence reflects the serious consequences of not only causing a fatal collision but also attempting to cover up the crime.

For families of hit-and-run victims, cases like this offer hope that even when initial investigations stall, forensic evidence can eventually provide the answers they seek. The conviction also serves as a warning to drivers that fleeing the scene and attempting to cover up their involvement may lead to more severe penalties than if they had remained and faced responsibility immediately.