Austin man convicted of striking and killing teenager with stolen car during high-speed pursuit in 2022

ROUND ROCK, Texas – An Austin man has been found guilty of murdering a 14-year-old boy in Round Rock in 2022.

Leandro Brito-Martinez, 28, was also sentenced to 80 years in prison in connection with the death of Tobias Soto.

In July 2022, Round Rock Police learned of a stolen vehicle traveling west on Gattis School Road in Round Rock. Officers found the vehicle in the La Frontera area, activated the emergency lights and attempted to stop the vehicle.

However, the vehicle then weaved through traffic on Louis Henna Boulevard at speeds of nearly 100 miles per hour. The vehicle ran a red light, struck another car at the intersection, and then struck and killed Soto, who had been walking in the crosswalk.

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Brito-Martinez, who was later identified as the driver of the stolen vehicle, then fled on foot but was eventually arrested, the Williamson County District Attorney's Office said. Brito-Martinez also admitted that he saw police behind him before they tried to make a traffic stop and that he fled anyway.

The entire incident occurred within seconds and spanned less than a quarter mile.

Soto's mother lived in a nearby apartment complex and had not heard from her son, who was visiting a friend. She tried to locate his phone, which showed he was at the intersection of Louis Henna and 45, prosecutors said. As she approached the intersection, she saw first responders and learned of her son's death.

Brito-Martinez also had a lengthy arrest history, including previous convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and resisting arrest. At the time of the accident, Brito-Martinez still had charges pending, including fleeing a police officer, evading/resisting arrest and assault on an officer.

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Friends and family described Soto to FOX 7 Austin as an athlete who has been boxing since he was eight years old.

Soto was also an artist who enjoyed acting, reading and cooking, and those who knew him said he loved to learn. He was about to start high school and was excited to play football.

“He was an all-around guy,” Soto’s uncle Jorge Rodriguez told FOX 7 Austin in August 2022.

Friends said Soto was “really funny” and made them “laugh all the time.”

Soto was known for his energy, strength and determination, and family members said that although he left the world at a young age, he left behind a role model to follow and inspire others.