Who Was Driving This SUV That Killed A Plant City Man?

PLANT CITY, FL -- Plant City Police continue to seek the hit-and-run driver responsible for killing a Plant City man earlier this month.

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 has since been 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 of the man found on the side of the road.

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

Police have conducted a forensic examination of the Hyundai but have been unable to identify the person driving the SUV at the time of the hit-and-run crash.

Anyone who knows anything about this hit-and-run crash is urged to contact the Plant City Police Department at 813-757-9200, or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-1-800-873-TIPS.

Image via Plant City Police

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