Troopers searching for driver after deadly hit-and-run

Courtesy: Florida Highway Patrol

The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver who fled from a deadly crash Sunday afternoon. 

The crash happened around 11:30 a.m. on U.S. Highway 301 near Harney Road. According to FHP, a driver was traveling northbound on U.S. 301 in a 2014 Nissan Sentra, passing in the inside travel lane at Gerry Lane. A second vehicle, a 2002 Ford F-150, was also traveling northbound ahead of the Nissan.

The driver of the Nissan overtook the Ford truck and "failed to slow," according to troopers, and the truck rear-ended the Nissan.

The impact propelled the truck across the raised concrete median and into the southbound lanes where it overturned. The driver of the Nissan abandoned his vehicle, and entered a white Nissan vehicle driven by a Hispanic female, and fled the scene. The driver has been described as a black male, wearing red, black and white clothing, according to troopers.

FHP said the driver of the Ford truck, 57-year-old Manuel Patino-Villa of Tampa, passed away from his injuries. The 55-year-old female passenger has critical injuries after partially ejecting from the vehicle after the crash. Two children were also inside the vehicle. A one-year-old female has minor injuries and a 13-year-old female has no injuries. Both children were wearing seatbelts, but it's unknown whether the two adults were.

As of Monday morning, troopers say they continue to search for the hit-and-run driver. Anyone with information can contact FHP by calling (813) 558-1800 or Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay at 1-800-873-8477.