A Tampa car accident involving a University of Tampa student and friend leaves two in serious condition. The incident took place at approximately 1:00 AM on Saturday morning, November 21, 2009 on Kennedy Boulevard.
Two victims were walking along Kennedy Boulevard when a gray sedan, traveling west on Kennedy Boulevard from North Boulevard, swerved onto the sidewalk striking the victims. The car was traveling at approximately 30 mph.
The victims, Erik Nicoletti, 20, a student at the University of Tampa, and an out-of-town friend, Cree Riley, 19, were transported to Tampa General Hospital by rescue crews and are in critical condition. Nicoletti has been declared brain dead and remains on life support.
Authorities found the abandoned car near the Dale Mabry Boulevard and Lambright intersection with the license plates removed.
The driver of the sedan, Andres Trujillo, 27, fled the scene. However, he turned himself into authorities the next day where he remains in custody and has been denied bail.
Trujillo, in a statement, indicated that he had bent over to pick up a cigarette that he had dropped when he struck the two victims. He then panicked and fled the scene.
The accident is still under investigation by local authorities.
