RESERVE — A tip from the community led to the overnight Friday apprehension and arrest of a St. John Parish man linked to the Nov. 25 hit-and-run death of a LaPlace pedestrian.

Javon Gomez, 34, of Northwest Street in Reserve, is charged with hit and run driving — death or serious injury, switched plates, operating a vehicle with a suspended license and false certificates. Gomez was released Saturday after posting a $44,500 bond.

According to Louisiana State Police, Gomez is not facing vehicular homicide because that involves impaired driving.

“We didn’t get to him until (seven days) after the crash, so we have no idea whether he was impaired at the time of the crash or not,” Troop B spokeswoman Melissa Matey said.

A negligent homicide charge could have applied, Matey said, had authorities deemed the suspect struck the victim while the victim was crossing the street in a legal manner.

“You had a pedestrian in the middle of the roadway,” Matey said. “The case is still under investigation, but if you have a pedestrian where they are not supposed to be and they get hit, it is the pedestrian’s fault, not the vehicle (driver’s) fault.”

According to authorities, they were alerted to Gomez’s home sometime before 7 p.m. Friday after State Police released numerous photographs earlier in the day to the public identifying a multi-colored Chevrolet truck believed responsible for the hit and run.

The truck and suspect were located at the house, authorities said.

According to Matey, Gomez did not try to hide the truck.

Matey said the license plate discovered on the truck was not registered to it. When asked if Gomez was cooperating or if he had declared his guilt or innocence, she said “that is not information we typically release.”

The St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office said it received information from a citizen regarding the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle, leading to Friday’s discovery. Louisiana State Police Troop B announced the arrest Saturday morning, bringing to end a seven-day search that followed the death of Eugene Webber III.

“Louisiana State Police would like to thank the community for their support and vigilance in this case,” a Saturday morning release said.

State Police said the fatal wreck occurred at approximately 6 p.m. Nov. 25 near the intersection of Airline Highway and Jaubert Lane in LaPlace while Webber was walking north across Airline Highway. Webber was in the left lane on the westbound side of Airline Highway when a truck struck him.

The victim was knocked onto Airline Highway’s eastbound lane, where he was struck again. State Police said the driver of the second vehicle stopped following impact, cooperated with authorities and is not facing charges. Webber died on the scene.

Family members described Webber as an electrician, who loved to fish and shoot pool.

Cousin Tracy Scott said Webber had a wonderful sense of humor and a big heart.

“He would give you the shirt off his back,” she said. “He was just very well loved and well liked by everyone. He never met a stranger. He had a fantastic smile.”