A Saturday night ride on a rural Keysville road ended in tragedy when a head-on collision killed a motorcyclist, critically injured his passenger, and sparked a manhunt for the driver who allegedly took off on foot.
The crash happened around 7:45 p.m. on Old Hopewell Road near Henry George Road, where deputies arrived to find two people who had been ejected from a motorcycle, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. One victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was airlifted to a hospital in critical condition.
FOX 13 Tampa Bay reports deputies identified the driver as 27-year-old Edwin Rapalo-Lorenzo, who was behind the wheel of a Ford Explorer traveling east on Old Hopewell Road when he crossed into the westbound lane and slammed into the motorcycle head-on. Deputies say Rapalo-Lorenzo ran from the crash on foot and was tracked down with the help of aviation and K9 units, then taken to a hospital for treatment.
Victim, Passenger and Charges
The sheriff’s office identified the motorcyclist as 37-year-old Giovanny Negron Talavera, who was pronounced dead at the scene. According to the agency, Rapalo-Lorenzo faces charges that include leaving the scene of a crash involving death, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, and driving without a valid driver’s license. An immigration detainer will also be placed on him, the sheriff’s office said.
The agency added that the investigation remains active and more information will be released when it becomes available.
What the Law Says
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is a first-degree felony and, in many cases, carries a mandatory minimum prison sentence. Crashes that cause serious bodily injury are charged as second-degree felonies, while those that result in non-serious injuries are treated as third-degree felonies. The statute also allows courts to impose restitution and requires at least a three-year driver’s license revocation for offenders. The Florida Legislature’s full statutory language is available on Online Sunshine.
Investigation and Next Steps
Detectives with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continue to investigate the circumstances of the crash and Rapalo-Lorenzo’s alleged attempt to flee. Any updates in the case will be released by the agency. FOX 13 Tampa Bay noted its coverage was based on information provided by HCSO.
