The suspect in the deadly crash on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge is now facing additional charges for his crimes. An accomplice is also facing charges. As the suspect rammed law enforcement vehicles and fled, an adult woman died in the wrong-way crash on the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.
On December 6th, at approximately 10:20pm, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Auto Theft Task Force members observed 22-year-old Leosvany Arias Roman while in the county driving a white Ford Mustang reported stolen by the Tampa Police Department.
In an attempt to arrest Roman, deputies approached him after he parked in front of a business located at 2919 West Columbus Drive within city limits. Starting the car up, he made the wrong decision to ram two HCSO vehicles and fled the area.
“This criminal had no regard for human life. Our deputies, facing danger, had to jump out of the way of a man they feared would run them over to get away,” said Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister. “The additional charges he faces will ensure the only road he’s ever on again is the one that leads straight to jail.”
Roman, of Hialeah, faced several charges related to the crashes, including felony murder, vehicular homicide, aggravated fleeing and eluding involving death.
Leosvany Arias Roman is facing additional charges from HCSO for his crimes in Hillsborough County, who was booked by Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. Roman’s charges now include aggravated assault on law enforcement officer with deadly weapon, burglary of unoccupied conveyance (travel across county lines), resisting officer without violence, criminal mischief $1,000 or more, grand theft motor vehicle, reckless driving with property damage or personal injury, fleeing to elude highspeed, and driving with license canceled, suspended or revoked.
A second suspect, 30-year-old Mohammed Ali Pujol, sitting in a silver Mercedes sedan parked next to the white Mustang, placed his vehicle into drive and sped towards an HCSO deputy who managed to jump out of the way. Tampa Police Officers assisted by attempting a traffic stop and ultimately used stop sticks on the 3300 block of North Nebraska Avenue and arrested Pujol. He, too, is facing several felony charges from HCSO for his crimes.
This is still an active investigation, according to local law enforcement.
The Sunshine Skyway Bridge spans Lower Tampa Bay to connect St. Petersburg, Florida, to Terra Ceia in Central Florida.
