Mejia was freed Friday after paying 10 percent of the $50,000 bond. The judge set bail on the condition that Mejia participate in a 24/7 sobriety program that requires him to appear twice a day for Breathalyzer testing. Mejia’s attorney said at a hearing that his client had lived in Omaha about three years and had many relatives in the area. The warrant was issued for Mejia on Tuesday.

Root, an Council Bluffs Abraham Lincoln High School graduate, was driving a 2002 Oldsmobile Bravada east on L Street about 2:15 a.m. Jan. 31 when her vehicle was rear-ended by a pickup truck driven by Mejia. Root’s sport utility vehicle was stopped or slowing when it was rear-ended near 33rd and L Streets. Root died at the Nebraska Medical Center. Mejia, who doesn’t have a valid driver’s license, was treated at the medical center for a leg injury before he was booked into the Douglas County Jail.

Following a blood draw at the hospital, police said Mejia had a blood alcohol content of .241 percent, which is more than three times the legal driving limit. If convicted of felony motor vehicle homicide, Mejia faces up to 20 years in prison. Police said Thursday, the Metro Fugitive Task Force has been attempting to locate Mejia without success. Anyone who knows where he is should contact Omaha Crime Stoppers at (402) 444-STOP or at omahacrimestoppers.org.

An arrest warrant also was issued for Mejia in May 2015 for failure to appear for several traffic infractions, according to Douglas County Court records. He appeared in court a day after his arrest and pleaded guilty to driving while his license was suspended and failure to secure a child’s safety seat.