PLANT CITY, Fla. -- A man walking to work was hit and killed by a driver fleeing from police early Friday, and the hunt continues for a suspect in the case.
Police were looking for Emmanuel Sandoval, 30, who was wanted on a felony warrant and located him at an apartment complex on Plantation Boulevard.
The officer tried to make contact with Sandoval, but the suspect got into a blue Ford Focus around 7:15 a.m., said Sgt. Alfred Van Duyne with the Plant City Police Department. The car was being driven by Daniel Castro, 26, of Plant City, police said.
When the driver wouldn't stop, a pursuit ensued and stop sticks were used, Van Duyne said, but it's not known if the stop sticks were effective. The driver continued to drive on Sammonds Road.
Police stopped chasing the Ford because of the driver's reckless actions, Van Duyne said. Castro lost control and struck and killed Armando Lopez, 43, who on his way to work.
A helicopter lost sight of the Ford, but eventually they found the vehicle had crashed near Woodrow Wilson Street. Sandoval, Castro and a passenger in the car, Sierra Vickery, 25, fled the vehicle.
Castro and Vickery were caught after a short chase. Sandoval remains at large.
Castro has been charged with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a fatality crash, no valid driver's license involving a fatality, leaving the scene of a crash involving a fatality, aggravated fleeing to elude and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon (motor vehicle).
Vickery was arrested on a warrant unrelated to the crash.
Sandoval is being sought outstanding warrants for grand theft, driving while license suspended and resisting an officer without violence, as well as several felony charges pending from this incident.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Plant City Police Department at (813) 757-9200.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date with more stories like this. Download the 10News app now.
Have a news tip? Email tips@wtsp.com, visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.
