TAMPA, Fla. — The person believed to be the other driver racing the man accused of colliding with a couple last week in a deadly crash in Tampa has been arrested, police said.
Officers said 19-year-old Daniel Hernandez was the man behind the wheel of a black Camaro that was racing with 22-year-old Andy Robaina down North Dale Mabry Highway just before 10:30 a.m. on June 3.
Hernandez and Robaina were reportedly racing each other near the intersection of North Dale Mabry Highway and West South Avenue when Robaina hit a Nissan Versa that was going across Dale Mabry.
Hernandez narrowly missed the Nissan moments before Robaina hit the car and he kept on driving, not stopping after the crash, police said.
The Nissan driver, a man in his 70s and his passenger, a woman in her 60s were both rushed to the hospital. The woman's injuries were critical, and she died at the hospital. The man's injuries weren't considered life-threatening, police said.
Robaina was arrested at the crash site and is charged with vehicular homicide and unlawful racing, the agency said.
Investigators continued searching for the other car involved, and on Monday police said they got information about the black Camaro, tracing it back to Hernandez. After detectives arranged a meeting, the agency said Hernandez and another person arrived at the meet-up. After speaking with detectives, police said they had enough to arrest Hernandez.
The 19-year-old is charged with vehicular homicide (leaving the scene), unlawful racing, reckless driving with serious injury and leaving the scene of a deadly crash. He was taken to jail and his Camaro was impounded.
"This is another example of our detectives' unwavering commitment to bringing those responsible for traffic fatalities to justice," Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. "While we hope these arrests bring some closure to this tragic incident, it should also serve as a stark reminder of everyone's responsibility to share our roadways safely."