Tampa Man Killed in Collision with Hit-and-Run Driver on Howard Frankland Bridge
A 36-year-old Tampa woman is behind bars in Pinellas County for her role in a hit-and-run accident that left a man dead shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 15th on the Howard Frankland Bridge.
Authorities said Allison Huffman admitted she was driving her 2012 Volkswagen Passat when she hit tow-truck driver Roger Perez-Borroto, 42, while he was helping two people stranded on the side of the bridge. Florida Highway Patrol officials said Huffman left the scene without calling for help. Her damaged car was found in the parking lot of the Crown Plaza Hotel near Westshore Mall.
About 18 hours after the accident, St. Petersburg police finally caught up with Huffman, who they said was hiding out at a friend’s home on Carillon Parkway. Police stayed with her until Florida Highway Patrol officials came and took her into custody. According to the arrest affidavit, Huffman told police she knew she had been involved in a traffic collision, but she didn’t stop to help or call police because she was scared. She is being held without bond at the Pinellas County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving a death.
Borroto was a tow truck driver for Lou’s Total Car Care in Tampa, and was apparently on the job at the time of the accident. He leaves behind a wife and a young daughter.
Not only is leaving the scene of an accident against the law, it also leaves injury victims with some serious issues beyond getting the medical treatment they need.
Hit-and-run accidents can be very complex, and having the right legal representation can go a long way toward ensuring a positive result. At the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham P.A., we have experience with many different kinds of hit-and-run accidents involving automobiles, motorcycles, pedestrians and bicycle riders. Every hit and run accident is different, resulting in different levels of injuries and many of them are fatal. There can also be a lot of variables that go into how the case will be evaluated.
If the hit-and-run driver is located, we will pursue all of the compensation you need to recover from your injuries, and for tragic fatal accidents, we can also help family members of the victim seek compensation for funeral expenses, lost wages, and mental anguish. In many of these cases, there may be punitive damages that can also be sought. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can provide a thorough evaluation of your case and determine the best course of action for your situation.
In cases where the driver cannot be located, the process works in much the same way as an uninsured or underinsured motorist claim where we will seek compensation from your own insurance company. We will review your policy to determine your coverages and pursue maximum recovery on your behalf.
If a recent hit and run accident in Florida has you searching for answers to your legal questions, call our law offices today at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) for a free initial consultation.
James O. Cunningham
Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.