Hillsborough County law enforcement is actively seeking information on the whereabouts of a man identified as the driver in a fatal hit-and-run incident. The collision, involving a motorcyclist, occurred Wednesday evening in Gibsonton and ended in tragedy.
According to Tampa Bay Times, the accident took place at approximately 7:30 p.m. at the intersection of Symmes Road and Southwind Lake Drive. The motorcyclist, later identified as 18-year-old Isaiah Raposa, was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office released a statement detailing that the suspect, Jonathan Saldana Rojas, 27, is wanted on charges of leaving the scene of a crash with death and driving without a valid license. Sheriff Chad Chronister expressed the gravity of the situation, saying, "Every life lost on our roads is a tragedy, and in this case, the victim's life was taken far too soon," in a statement obtained by WTSP. Rojas was reportedly driving a white sedan and collided with Raposa while attempting a left turn.
FOX 13 News reports that the Sheriff's Office has issued a warrant for Rojas' arrest. In a continued pursuit for justice, Sheriff Chronister urged the community to aid in the search for Rojas, stating, "Your help is critical in ensuring justice is served and bringing closure to the victim's family." Members of the public are encouraged to come forward with any knowledge they may have regarding Rojas' current location by contacting detectives at 813-247-8200.
