Elderly carjacking victim dies in Pasco County crash; suspect in critical condition

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An elderly man who was the victim of a carjacking has died in an early morning crash in Bayonet Point.

According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, 74-year-old Hermel Levesque was setting up a table at the St. Marks Church flea market around 5 a.m., unloading items from the utility trailer attached to his Ford Explorer.

Investigators said a 34-year-old man got into the driver's seat and drove off with Levesque still inside.

The driver lost control near near Nature Trail and hit a palm tree, causing the SUV and trailer to overturn. Investigators said it is not yet known why the crash occurred.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Levesque died in the crash, while the 34-year-old driver, who has not yet been identified, is in critical condition.

Contents from the vehicle and trailer were strewn from the parking lot to the spot where the crash happened, investigators said.

Church members remembered Levesque fondly and said he often sold items at the flea market.

“Great guy," said flea market customer Jay White. “He used to give me the good little discounts on everything. It was a tragic incident this morning."

"Very nice guy, it’s sad to believe, hard to believe when I found out he was killed,” said church member Wayne Waller.