Man pleads guilty to charges connected to fatal hit-and-run on Louisville Road

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A Bowling Green man has pleaded guilty to reckless homicide and leaving the scene of an accident in a fatal hit-and-run case.

According to court records, 43-year-old Michael Mestas of Bowling Green entered a guilty plea on Oct. 30.

Mestas’ original charges included vehicular homicide when under the influence of alcohol, leaving the scene of an accident/failure to render aid or assistance with death or serious physical injury, tampering with physical evidence and failure of owner to maintain required insurance/ security.

Court records state the vehicular homicide charge was amended to reckless homicide, while the final two charges listed above were dismissed.

The case stems from the death of Terry Zweig, who was found along Louisville Road on the morning of January 18, 2025.

A uniform citation states the victim had multiple fatal injuries consistent with a vehicle collision.

On January 30, 2025, the Bowling Green Police Department released photographs onto social media of the suspected driver in the collision, along with the suspect vehicle.

After several tips, police say Mestas was detained and confirmed the vehicle they posted was his. The vehicle was also caught on video surveillance nearby after the collision, pulling into UV Liquors, according to the citation.

Mestas is scheduled for sentencing on Jan. 26  at 3 p.m.