Man convicted of Arlington hit-and-run released on bond

FORT WORTH, Texas - A man convicted of injuring another man in a hit-and-run crash in Arlington is free on bond pending his appeal.

Omar Mohammed was sentenced to 5 years in prison for running down 73-year-old Terry Pinkston in February.

State law allows anyone sentenced to less than 10 years in prison to post bond and be free during the appeal’s process.

The judge granted Mohammed’s request despite objections from the district attorney’s office.

Prosecutor Heather Davenport tried to keep him locked up based on the fact that he bought a one-way ticket to Jordan after the accident and was arrested just minutes before his plane took off from DFW Airport.

"If he’s not a flight risk, I don’t know who is,” she said.

Mohammed had ankle bracelet on when he was released Monday morning. He told FOX 4's James Rose that he is sorry for what happened and has no plans to leave the country.

"I want to thank Mr. Pinkston because he found a place in his heart to forgive me," he said.

Pinkston's family was reportedly shocked to learn that Mohammed could be released.