Incidents

Driver accused of striking, killing pedestrian on OBT released on bond

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — While the driver in the first of two fatal crashes along Orange Blossom Trail early Thursday morning was released on bond Friday, the other is still on the run, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Lt. Kim Montes said both fatal crashes happened just after 3 a.m. Thursday near the intersection of OBT and 41st Street.

Troopers said Lazeya Rivera, 22, of Clermont, hit and killed 39-year-old Nostaky Exantus as he tried to cross the road and then crashed into a nearby business.

Rivera was transported to the hospital after the crash. Troopers said she is now facing charges of murder-not premeditated, DUI manslaughter and driving on a suspended license.

Troopers said there were alcohol bottles in her car as well as the smell of marijuana. Six hours after the crash when troopers interviewed Rivera, they reported that her breath smelled like alcohol, her speech was slurred and her eyes were bloodshot and glassy.

Rivera was released on bond Friday. She remaind quiet as she was quickly ushered into a waiting vehicle upon release.

Moments after the crash, three good Samaritans were attempting to help the man who’d been run over when troopers said a black Lexus hit them at a high rate of speed.

Just 30 seconds before that crash, troopers said they believe an Orange County deputy attempted to pull that Lexus over. Dash camera video released Thursday shows the car speed away from the deputy moments before the crash.

Troopers said that crash killed one of the good Samaritans, identified as Damion Bradford, 32, of Apopka, and critically injured another.

Bradford's aunt, Sharonda Ball, said her nephew died doing what he always did in looking out for others.

"He would give you the shirt off his back, last dollar in his pocket," said Ball. "That's just him."

Lt. Kim Montes said both crashes were captured on security footage from a nearby apartment complex.

She said troopers are asking for the public's help to identify the black Lexus involved in the crash. It is expected to have front-end damage and the license plate number LLT C87. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeLine at 1800-423-TIPS or FHP at 407-737-2213.

You can view footage of the attempted traffic stop below: 

The northbound OBT reopened around 9:30 a.m., more than seven hours after the crashes.