Woman killed pedestrian while driving to work, fled: Cops
Share this @internewscast.com

Inset: Aliya Cruz (Polk County (Fla.) Sheriff’s Office). Background: W. Highland St. and S. Wabash Ave. in Lakeland, Fla. (Google Maps).

A Florida woman allegedly hit a pedestrian while driving toward work in the early morning hours — killing her — and fleeing the scene.

On August 18, Aliya Cruz, aged 24, was involved in a fatal incident where she hit and killed 27-year-old Danielle Stilwell, as reported by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in a statement. The authorities received a call just before 4 a.m. that day about a woman lying in the middle of West Highland Street in Lakeland, approximately 35 miles from Tampa.

Upon arrival, first responders discovered Stilwell had died on the road. Evidence at the scene indicated vehicle involvement, including broken car parts, though no vehicle was present. These remnants were identified as the front driver’s side fender liner and a segment of the front bumper.

Nearby gas station surveillance footage captured Cruz’s vehicle “heading westbound away from the crash site on W. Highland. After turning right at a red light to go north on Wabash, it executed a U-turn to proceed south, then made another right to travel westbound on W. Highland St. The vehicle left the scene without stopping, rendering aid, or seeking help.”

Cruz’s car was subsequently found parked in a driveway on West Highland Street. It was missing a piece of the driver’s side bumper and the front left fender liner, details that matched the debris left at the crash site, according to the sheriff’s office. Investigators confirmed the car was owned by Cruz.

When questioned, Cruz informed detectives that she left her house at approximately 3:50 a.m. to head to her job at a Publix warehouse, aiming to arrive by 4 a.m. Her usual route to work involved traveling west on West Highland Street, as per the press release.

“She explained to detectives that while driving, a truck with high beam lights impaired her vision from the opposite direction,” the statement from the sheriff’s office described. “After the truck turned right, she noticed a woman lying on the road ahead with her hands covering her face. She claimed she swerved right to avoid hitting the woman, veering into the grass. She thought she might not have hit the individual but wasn’t sure. Wanting to avoid being late, she mentioned making a right turn at the light, performing a U-turn, and returning to W. Highland St. to go to work.”

After arriving at work, Cruz reportedly told one of her supervisors that she had “possibly killed someone,” the statement said. Cruz even reportedly showed her supervisor pictures of the damage to her car, and her supervisor responded by urging her to call police and report the incident.

“I don’t really want to say anything,” Cruz reportedly said. She allegedly made additional statements, including “Well uhm, I know I didn’t hit them,” “I don’t think I hit the person,” and “I know I swerved,” the statement noted.

It is unclear from the surveillance video, which was reviewed by Law&Crime, whether a truck was heading eastbound prior to Cruz turning right and making a U-turn.

“[T]here isn’t anything [on the video] to corroborate her story,” the Polk County Sheriff’s Office told Law&Crime in an email.

According to the sheriff’s office, in a second interview with Cruz on Friday, she said she told her boss “she was worried because she was unsure if she struck the person or not.”

She reportedly asked her boss what she should do.

“He said that she should have stopped and that she should notify the police,” the sheriff’s statement said.

Court records did not reflect the pending charges against Cruz, who appears to have a history of traffic infractions in the county, including speeding and failure to stop at a stop sign.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Police Report Reveals Severe Malnourishment of New Mother’s Twin Infants

Background: The Panama City, Fla., neighborhood where Hailey Smith lived with her…

Former Trump Advisor Faces Indictment Amid Growing Criticism

John Bolton, US President Donald Trump’s former national security adviser-turned-adversary, has been…

Tragic Custody Battle Unveiled: Court Documents Expose Disputes Over 12-Year-Old Girl Found Dead Behind Abandoned House

Recent court documents have shed light on a tumultuous family custody battle…

Victim of Stabbing Commends Brave Bystanders for Their Quick Assistance

Following a harrowing attack, Wan Lai took to Threads to express her…

Shocking CCTV Footage: Beauty Queen Suspect Caught Stalking First Victim with Chilling Threats

In the days leading up to her disappearance, Kada Scott confided in…

Urgent Search Underway: 6-Year-Old Darius Disappears During Family Camping Trip

Today, Nancy Grace welcomes a special guest to her program. Caryn Stark…

Man Faces Charges of Rape and Stalking Following Classroom Encounter

Staff Report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Anghelo Luisin Ita Durand, 30, faces charges…

Florida Resident Allegedly Shoots Woman Following Verbal Dispute, Authorities Report

Inset: Michael Phillips (Lake County Jail). Background: Home in Grand Island, Florida,…

Nevada Man Allegedly Executes Wife in Front of Children Following Custody and Home Loss

A Nevada resident has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the fatal…

DNA Evidence Leads to Suspect Identification in Woman’s Death: Police Report

Background: Footage of Samuel Aquim Charon, in gray T-shirt, after his arrest…

Mother and Son Arrested in Connection with Teen’s Death Found in Plastic Container

Main, left to right: Jalen Pendergrass and Charla Pendergrass (WXYZ). Inset: London…

Woman Involved in Shocking Hatchet Attack: Victim Suffered 80 Wounds

Background: The Days Inn on Central Avenue in Albuquerque, New Mexico (KRQE/YouTube).…