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Tampa Police Make Arrest in Fatal Road Rage

Teddy Baltimore Smith | Tampa Police | Arrests

He is accused of stabbing and killing the passenger in another vehicle, according to the Tampa Police Department.

TAMPA – A man has been charged in the murder of the passenger of a pickup truck during a Wednesday (April 4) road rage incident, the Tampa Police Department said.

Teddy Baltimore Smith, 44, of Tampa, was arrested about 10 p.m. Thursday (April 6). Smith was charged with one count of second degree murder in connection with the death of Gilbert Serna, 56. Police said they have no evidence that the two knew each other.

The road rage confrontation and murder happened about 11:22 a.m. Wednesday on Fowler Avenue near I-275. A Dodge Ram truck and dark BMW were both stopped in the westbound lanes, with the BMW on the right side of the truck.

Mr. Serna, the passenger in the truck, apparently spat out the window of the truck as the two vehicles were stopped. Police said Smith, who was driving the BMW, took offense and got out of his car to verbally confront Mr. Serna. Smith stabbed Mr. Serna in the upper body, then got back into his car and drove away.

The Dodge’s driver tried to follow the BMW as it headed west on Fowler. Ultimately the truck stopped at the corner of W 109th Avenue and N Ashley Street.

Tasmpa police performed CPR on Mr. Serna, who was taken to a hospital where he died of his injuries.

Late Wednesday, Tampa police said officers found the BMW in a parking lot and seized the vehicle early Thursday. Late Thursday, TPD issued a warrant for Smith’s arrest and shortly after 10 p.m., Smith was spotted in a parking lot near Busch Boulevard and N 26th Street. He was caught after a brief foot pursuit.

BMW | Tampa Police | Fatal Road Rage

Photo of BMW at the impound lot courtesy of the Tampa Police Department.
Tampa Police | Crime | Murder | Road Rage | Road Rage Murder | Arrests | Tampabay News

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