Plant City Police Make Arrest In Fatal Hit-And-Run Accident

PLANT CITY, FL -- The Plant City Police Department has arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with a fatal hit-and-run accident on Jan. 17.

Emmanuel Burgos-Mercado has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash without rendering aid involving death, driving while license is suspended and tampering with evidence.

Around 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 17, Plant City Police responded to a call about a person who was possibly dead lying on the side of U.S. 92 U.S. approximately 1,000 feet west of Charlie Taylor Road. Upon arrival, police found a Hispanic man who was killed after being struck by a vehicle (see related story).

The man was later identified as Arturo Martinez-Ramirez, 57, of Plant City. Police were contacted by his girlfriend of 11 years, who was concerned when he hadn't been heard from for more than 24 hours. She gave police a positive identification.

On Friday, Jan. 18, Plant City Police impounded an SUV that they believed was involved in the crash. The black 2005-07 Hyundai Tucson was located at the Shangri La Mobile Estates, 2850 New Tampa Highway, Lakeland. It had heavy left front-end damage consistent with evidence gathered at the crash scene.

During a follow-up investigation, police were led to Burgos-Mercado who fled Florida and was located in Connecticut. He returned to Florida and was arrested at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 12. He is being held at the Orient Road Jail.

Image via Plant City Police

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