The passengers in the car said they don’t know who the driver was, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY – A teenage pedestrian died early this morning (Nov. 12) after he was struck by a hit and run driver while crossing I-275, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Justin Martinez-Sanchez, 19, of Land O’ Lakes, died at the scene. It is unclear if alcohol was involved.

The crash happened about 2:16 a.m. on northbound I-275 south of MLK Boulevard in Hillsborough County. Troopers said Mr. Martinez-Sanchez was standing in or crossing I-275 for unknown reasons. He was directly in the path of a 2011 Audi A4 that was heading north in the outside center travel lane.

The Audi hit Mr. Martinez-Sanchez then fled, troopers said. It was driven to a gas station along U.S. 92 where the occupants called for law enforcement.

Troopers said the car’s passengers, Nathanael Huitt, 26, and Austin Schulz, 27,  both of Tampa, told them that an unknown white man named Chris was driving at the time of the crash. He fled the gas station on foot. He was described as wearing a black shirt and jeans. He was about 20-25 years old and about six feet tall.

For information about the Florida Highway Patrol, go to flhsmv.gov.

Photo courtesy of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Florida Highway Patrol | Traffic Accident | Pedestrian Killed | Hit and Run | I-275 Accident | Justin Martinez-Sanchez | Tampabay News

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