A woman who had been asking for the public’s help in finding the driver responsible for a San Jose hit and run that left her roommate dead is now the prime suspect. Marianna Belmares has been arrested on suspicion of felony hit and run in connection with the death of 29-year-old Loren Badillo, who was killed on McCoy Avenue Saturday night. In an interview with NBC Bay Area on Monday, Belmares tearfully talked about losing her good friend. “He had a way of bringing light into every room,” Belmares said at the time. “He always made you feel like you were welcome and accepted.” Belmares also talked about her efforts to find the alleged hit-and-run driver. “We already asked the neighbors if they might have seen anything or collected any Ring camera or security footage,” she said. Police now say Belmares was driving a Chevrolet Volt with Badillo when he exited the car, resulting in significant trauma. He later died, and Belmares fled the scene before officers arrived, police said. “I truly can’t believe that somebody has the lack of human decency to get on TV and say how much they love somebody, produce fake tears and yet this is the same person that could let someone lay on the side of the street while they drove away,” said Tammie Conti, Badillo’s mother. “We are devastated to learn it was his roommate. We want justice for Loren.” San Jose 8 hours ago Woman arrested over alleged San Jose hit and run that killed passenger San Jose Dec 15 Grieving parents seek answers after deadly hit-and-run crash in San Jose San Jose Dec 14 Man dies after hit-and-run crash in San Jose Some neighbors said they’re surprised Belmares is a suspect because she asked them for Ring camera video to help identify the hit-and-run driver. “She was here with another gentleman and she was crying frantically,” Roger Hamamjy said. Conti said her son was a talented musician and songwriter and had just started a job in artificial intelligence. He was supposed to visit her in Idaho for Christmas, a holiday now marred by grief. “He was a good spirit, very good soul,” Conti said. “He always made us laugh. He was always full of life.” Badillo’s family and friends plan to hold a vigil for him on Friday. ...read more read less