PLANT CITY, FL – A 19-year-old Plant City man was killed after being struck by a pickup truck late Saturday night near the intersection of South County Road 39 and Tipton Road, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
According to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Deputies responded to the crash at approximately 11:42 p.m. on May 24. Two pedestrians were crossing the roadway when the driver, identified as 27-year-old Daniel Mariano Jr., changed lanes into the northbound lane and struck one of the pedestrians.
Authorities said Mariano did not stop immediately after the crash and instead called 911 several miles away from the scene. Deputies later located him and observed signs of impairment, along with significant damage to his truck.
The 19-year-old victim was transported to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Mariano was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and violation of probation for resisting with violence. Additional charges are pending the results of a blood test.
“This tragic and preventable crash is a heartbreaking reminder that impaired driving destroys lives and carries serious consequences,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said. The investigation remains active.
SOURCE: HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
