BPD offering $3,000 reward for information on alleged hit-and-run-driver

A $3,000 reward is being offered for information leading to a 28-year-old hit-and-run driver accused of killing a homeless man in Bradenton

Police said Julio Torres was behind the wheel of a black Infiniti sedan driving north on 15th Street West when he veered off the road, hitting and killing the 26-year-old man lying in a grassy area behind a Salvation Army. 

Julio Torres, the man accused of hitting someone with his car and fleeing by BPD.

Julio Torres, the man accused of hitting someone with his car and fleeing by BPD.

Hit-and-run

The backstory:

Torres is accused of getting out of the car and running away. He hasn't been seen since.

Now, a memorial for that man is growing where he was found with flowers, stuffed animals, and a balloon. 

Memorial for the killed homeless man, where he was found with flowers, stuffed animals, and a balloon.

Memorial for the killed homeless man, where he was found with flowers, stuffed animals, and a balloon. 

Police search

What they're saying:

BPD Public Information Officer Meredith Censullo said, "We know that he has family in the area, and we want them to know that he is important to us, and we want to get justice for him."

Censullo said though detectives do not believe Torres intentionally hit the victim, they do believe Torres knew he hit the man. 

"His priority was protecting himself, and we're not okay with that," Censullo said. "The victim was down on his luck perhaps, but that doesn't mean his life isn't important."

According to BPD, Torres has a criminal background, including drug possession. 

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The area where the hit-and-run happened. 

Censullo said, "He also was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash."

What you can do:

If you have information about Torres’s whereabouts, contact the Bradenton Police Department at 941-932-9300. 

Tips can also be made anonymously to Crime Stoppers at manateecrimestoppers.com.

Censullo said, "We're really hoping that the public has seen him. Has some useful information. We are actively looking for tips right now."

The Source: FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis collected the information in this story courtesy of Bradenton Police Department and Meredith Censullo.

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