He is accused in a hit-and-run crash that killed a father and injured two children while they were riding bicycles, the Tampa Police Department said. Officers said he admitted attacking the family.

TAMPA – A Tampa man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a father and injured two of the man’s sons, the Tampa Police Department said.

“We’re still piecing together why he did this,” Tampa police Chief Brian Dugan said this morning (June 25). “This is definitely random and it’s purposely done. We don’t know why.”

Pedro Aguerreberry, 42, of Tampa, died at a local hospital of injuries he received when hit by a car while riding his bicycle. His two sons, who were with him, were also hit. Bennett Aguerreberry, 3, was taken to a different hospital with a fractured leg. Lucas Aguerreberry, 8, was taken to the hospital with minor injuries.

Mikese M. Morse, 30, of Tampa, has been charged with one count of first degree murder (premeditated with a weapon) in connection with the death of Mr. Aguerreberry and two counts of attempted first degree murder (premeditated). Morse is also charged with one count each of leaving the scene of a crash with death, leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury, and leaving the scene of a crash with injury. Police said he admitted attacking the Aguerreberrys with his car.

Dugan said the incident was not a case of a driver’s simply veering off a road. The driver, he said, had to cross a lane of oncoming traffic and cross an 8-foot to 10-foot wide grass easement separating the bike trail from traffic.

“He purposedly does a U-turn and purposely drives off the road according to witnesses,” Dugan said. “They were completely removed from the road itself.”

Dugan said he especially feels for Mr. Aguerreberry’s family – a wife who has to put her family back together and two children “who have to see their father essentially die at the scene.”

Dugan said Morse was committed for a mental health evaluation on June 12 after he went to a police substation and appeared to need help. He also had some minor traffic infractions. But Morse’s reasoning behind the crash is not known.

“He didn’t give us a complete explanation as to why,” Dugan said. He added, “He somewhat appears to be disturbed. What type of person would purposely run over a family? … It’s really hard for me to fathom someone doing something like this.”

The crash happened about 11:54 a.m. Sunday (June 24) near New Tampa Boulevard and Wood Sage Drive. Police said Morse was driving his 2008 Dodge west on New Tampa Boulevard from the area of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard when he saw Mr. Aguerreberry riding a bike east on the sidewalk and pulling Bennett behind. Mr. Aguerreberry’s son, Lucas, was riding his bike alongside.

Morse made a U-turn and “intentionally drove his 2008 red 4 dr. Dodge off the roadway, across a grass easement onto the sidewalk and accelerated rapidly,” according to the police report. Morse “intentionally struck the victims with his vehicle and fled the scene e/bound towards Bruce B. Downs Blvd. The defendant at no time stopped to render aid or assist the victims.”

Police said Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies found Morse’s car about two blocks from his parents’ home in New Tampa. The car had plastic taped to the front windshield to conceal the damage, police said.

Officers found Morse at his parents’ home.

Tampa Police | Crime | Murder | Pedro Aguerreberry | Arrests | Hit and Run Crash | Tampabay News

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