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BRANDON - A suspect was arrested Friday in connection with a hit-and-run crash that killed a Brandon pedestrian earlier this month, said Hillsborough County sheriff’s spokeswoman Debbie Carter.
Timothy David Blankenship, 49, died March 18 after he was hit at 3:20 a.m. by a 1999 Toyota 4-Runner in the westbound lanes of Lumsden Road near Providence Road, Carter said. Blankenship had been crossing the road from north to south at the time.
The driver did not stop to render aid or contact authorities.
On Friday, deputies arrested Robert Van Hall, 22, of Apollo Beach, on felony warrants. He is charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death and tampering with physical evidence.
Van Hall posted $25,000 bond and was released from Orient Road Jail later in the afternoon.
Carter said a person who was riding as Van Hall’s passenger at the time of the incident identified him to detectives.
The investigation revealed that the suspect drove the 4-Runner to Philadelphia, where he installed a new hood, abandoned the damaged one in a salvage yard and bought a headlight assembly.
He also bought a right marker light assembly in Virginia and had both lights installed in Lecanto, Carter said.
Deputies found the 4-Runner at a residence east of Tampa where Van Hall had left it, Carter said.
To leave the scene of any auto accident, particularly one with fatalities, is unconscionable. If one is an illegal immigrant, car thief, or otherwise might seriously run afoul of the law, it is remotely understandable, but never justifiable. If you’ve had a few drinks, yet are otherwise “legal” (have current, license, registration, citizenship, etc.), there is simply no excuse - ever - for this kind of behavior. This passenger is to be commended for turning this cowardly driver into authorities.
Sounds like VanHall’s passenger had a conscience and it got the better of him/her. Good for that person, unlike the driver who obviously went to great lengths to cover it all up and who has no conscience. VanHall has plenty to think about now.
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Posted by Janice vianna, Brandon on 04/02 at 01:49 PM
Love how the illegal immigrant issue ALWAYS happens to work it’s way into a discussion even in a case where it apparently (as not mentioned) has no bearing. This person’s actions are no way understandable. Not only did he leave, but apparently had NO intentions of ever paying the consequences for his actions, even going so far as to repair the damages in another state. Disgusting.