Crime & Safety

Tampa Police Search For Driver In Deadly Hit-And-Run Crash

A passenger in an SUV died after the driver of a pickup truck fled a traffic stop and crashed into it, Tampa police said.

TAMPA, FL — Officers are searching for the driver of a pickup truck who ran from the scene of a deadly crash on foot after fleeing from a traffic stop and hitting multiple vehicles, Tampa police said in a news release.

The unknown driver of a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche fled a traffic stop near East 28th Avenue and 13th Street around 11:15 p.m.

Officers didn’t pursue the driver, who continued east on East 28th Avenue, eventually hitting two unoccupied vehicles before running a stop sign and crashing into a 2019 Nissan Pathfinder, police said. The impact sent the Pathfinder into a pole.

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The truck’s driver got out of the vehicle and ran from the scene on foot, investigators said.

Three adults were inside the Pathfinder at the time of the crash. Two suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were taken to a hospital, where their conditions were last reported as stable.

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The SUV’s rear passenger died from their injuries, police said.

Detectives are following leads to identify the driver and are asking anyone with information to contact Tampa police at 813-213-6130. Callers should reference case No. 26-641095.

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