On November 23, 2009, somewhere between 200 and 300 students at the University of Tampa gathered at a candlelight vigil in a campus courtyard to mourn the death of their classmate, Erik Nicoletti, who was tragically killed in a hit and run accident over the weekend.
Nicoletti, the 20-year old junior at UT, was walking with several friends to the Metro Food Mart across from campus on Saturday night at about 1:15am. As they crossed W. Kennedy Blvd just west of North Blvd heading back to campus, a motorist hit and killed Nicoletti, and injured one of his friends who was visiting from out of town.
Nicolletti was taken off life support on Monday afternoon. His family was reportedly encouraged and overwhelmed at the support of the student body and of the Tampa community, as well as glad that an arrest was made. The other victim, Nicoletti's friend, Cree Alisha Riley, 19, likely has a long road to recovery. Visiting Nicoletti from out of town, she suffered a broken jaw, hip and legs.
The driver of the vehicle, Andres Trujillo, 27, fled the scene, but officers from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office found the vehicle, abandoned ,shortly after the accident. Trujillo turned himself into authorities Sunday evening. Police records indicate past charges against Trujillo included disorderly intoxication, robbery, and imprisonment for attacking an officer. Charges against the driver, originally for leaving the scene of an accident involving serious injury, are anticipated to be upgraded to leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
Nicoletti's death is no doubt a shock to the school and family, and exemplifies the serious dangers associated with motor vehicle accidents that our office deals with on a daily basis. The Law Offices of John T. Grove would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this young man.
