He admitted being the driver who struck the bicyclist, Clearwater police said.

CLEARWATER – A Largo man is accused of critically injuring a bicyclist in a hit and run crash Tuesday (May 30), according to the Clearwater Police Department.

Benito Espanol-Cruz, 33, of Largo, was charged with one count of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury. The injured bicyclist, Joseph Samson, 34, of Dunedin, remains in critical condition at Bayfront Health St. Petersburg.

The crash happened about 9:43 p.m. at the intersection of Cleveland Street and Fredrica Avenue. Samson was southbound between Fredrica and Betty Lane. A pickup truck was eastbound on Cleveland when it hit the bicycle, police said.

Traffic homicide investigators and detectives said they were able to gather video surveillance and talk to witnesses who identified Espanol-Cruz as the suspect. The truck was located at Espanol-Cruz’s place of employment in Largo, covered and concealed behind several other work vehicles.

Police said he admitted he was the driver of the 1999 Ford F150 that struck Samson. He also admitted he had been consuming alcohol before the crash, officers said.

For information about the Clearwater police, go to clearwaterpolice.org.

Clearwater Police | Hit and Run Driver | Crime | Arrests | Bicyclist Injured | Tampa Bay News | TB Reporter

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