Tampa Police Arrest Couple Wanted In Hit-And-Run Death

TAMPA, FL -- While members of the community offered multiple tips in the effort to lead to an arrest, it was outstanding investigative work that led to the arrest of a hit-and-run driver, according to Tampa Police.

Tampa Police detectives, working with the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force, were able to locate and arrest Tracy Evereth Wood, 31, and Miriam Marti-Benning, 43.

They were found in a wooded area near Interstate 75 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, just off State Road 54, in Pasco County.

Tampa Police detectives believe Wood was driving the car that struck and killed an 81-year-old Felix De la Uz in the 4000 block of Hillsborough Avenue east of Lois Avenue in Tampa on March 17.

Witnesses told police that a car was heading west on Hillsborough Avenue just after midnight when it suddenly left the road and hit a sign and electrical box where De la Uz was waiting to cross the road with his wife, Narda Vazquez Ruiz, 69. Witnesses say De la Uz pushed his wife out of the way before he was struck by the white Honda Civic.

The Civic stopped about 500 feet away and the driver and a passenger got out and fled on foot.

After they fled the scene, Marti-Benning called a friend to pick up both her and Wood and drive them out of the area. Marti-Benning also acquired money so that they could stay in a hotel that night. They then fled to Pasco County where they camped out in the woods.

Wood has been charged with hit and run, failure to remain at a crash involving a death, driving without a license and causing death with a vehicle.

Marti-Benning is charged with hit and run, failure to remain at a crash involving a death and aiding and abetting the commission of a felony.

Both subjects were transported to Hillsborough County Jail.

Images via Tampa Police