Surveillance video shows suspected Sarasota hit-and-run vehicle

SARASOTA (FOX 13) - Police released surveillance video of a vehicle believed to be involved in a fatal hit-and-run in Sarasota.

Sarasota police say the crash occurred on January 27 in the 4000 block of Fruitville Road just before midnight. Since then, they have been searching for the driver, who left the scene after hitting and killing 36-year-old Gisela Staino.

Police say evidence left at the scene points to a Mazda 3, between the model years 2004-2009. Surveillance video was obtained from red-light cameras and highlights the vehicle, which is believed to be silver, gray or blue in color with a broken right side headlight and heavy front-end damage on the right side of the vehicle.

Staino’s friends say she was planning to move to Sarasota from Miami for a new job.

“She had gone up there I believe for a job interview," said her close friend, Ana Maria Diaz, of Miami. "That was the end of that. She never made it back ... I can’t imagine what kind of individual would do something like that. Even if you hit an animal, you stop. This is a life you’re taking.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Officer Tim Bales at 941-915-3635.