A DoorDash driver in Fort Wayne, Indiana, allegedly crashed her Ford F-150 into a 49-year-old man on June 18, striking him with such force that his shoe was thrown approximately 90 feet from the scene before she later checked police activity news to determine whether she had hit a person, according to authorities.
Background
Donsia Kizer was killed just before midnight on June 18 in the area of the 6700 block of Maysville Road in Fort Wayne. The Allen County Coroner's Office determined Kizer died from blunt force trauma, and investigators noted signs that his body had been dragged along the roadway. Police arrived at the scene to find Kizer lying face up with his eyes open and arms extended—without his left shoe, which was later recovered approximately 90 feet away. Nearby, authorities discovered plastic headlight debris consistent with a Ford F-150 model manufactured between 2009 and 2014.
The Investigation
Esperanza Villafana, 26, has been charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death or catastrophic injury and obstruction of justice in connection with Kizer's death. A credible source told authorities they were with Villafana before the crash and observed that she had consumed alcohol and marijuana before departing to make DoorDash deliveries.
Investigators obtained surveillance footage showing a red Ford F-150 turning in the area around the time of the collision. License plate tracking connected the vehicle to one registered to a man who lived with Villafana, establishing her as the suspected driver. After the crash, Villafana allegedly called the source and claimed she had struck an animal.
The narrative shifted when Villafana returned to the crash site with a friend. According to investigators, she told the source she had "seen him" upon returning to the scene. When questioned by detectives, Villafana admitted that on the night in question, she heard a beeping noise and looked down after feeling an impact, believing at the time that she had struck either a mailbox or a dog.
Authorities say Villafana repeatedly checked police activity news following the crash, reportedly attempting to determine if what she hit was a person. She later showed the source a news report about the incident, stating she had been struggling to cope with the situation. When a detective asked whether her only reason for believing she had struck someone was because she saw it reported in the news, Villafana allegedly nodded in acknowledgment.
Investigators also discovered that Villafana altered the truck's appearance after the collision, potentially to evade detection. She is currently being held in the Allen County Jail without bond pending further court proceedings.
Key Takeaways
- Victim Donsia Kizer, 49, died from blunt force trauma on June 18 near the 6700 block of Maysville Road in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Esperanza Villafana, 26, is charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and obstruction of justice
- A source told authorities Villafana had consumed alcohol and marijuana before driving to make DoorDash deliveries
- Police found Kizer's left shoe approximately 90 feet from where his body lay; evidence suggests he was dragged after being struck
- Villafana allegedly checked police news reports repeatedly to determine if she had hit a person, later admitting she only learned of the fatality through media coverage
What's Next
Villafana remains incarcerated in the Allen County Jail without bond. Court records indicate her next scheduled appearance date is pending confirmation. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities continue to compile evidence for what promises to be an extensive pre-trial process.