Lakeland, FL – Authorities say a 24-year-old Florida woman allegedly struck and killed a pedestrian early Aug. 18 while driving to work and fled the scene, police reported.
Incident Details
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Aliya Cruz struck 27-year-old Danielle Stilwell on West Highland Street shortly before 4 a.m. First responders found Stilwell deceased in the roadway, along with broken vehicle parts suggesting a collision had occurred, although no car was at the scene.
Surveillance video captured Cruz’s car traveling westbound from the scene, making a U-turn and multiple turns before leaving the area without rendering aid or calling for help.
Vehicle and Investigation
The vehicle was later located at a residence on West Highland Street, missing parts consistent with those left at the scene. Investigators confirmed the car belonged to Cruz.
Cruz told detectives she left home around 3:50 a.m. to go to her job at a Publix warehouse, claiming a truck’s high beams impaired her vision and that she swerved to avoid the pedestrian. She admitted to her supervisor after arriving at work that she “possibly killed someone”, showing photos of the damaged vehicle.
Authorities noted that surveillance footage does not corroborate Cruz’s account of the incident Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
Statements and Pending Charge
Cruz reportedly stated, “I don’t think I hit the person,” and “I know I swerved,” while her supervisor urged her to report the incident to police.
Court records indicate Cruz has a history of traffic infractions in Polk County, including speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign. Charges in this case are still pending.
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