Hit-and-Run Crash Victim Dies, Driver Arrested

The death of a 75-year-old woman involved in a hit-and-run accident today, Oct. 22, could lead to a more serious charge for the driver, who reportedly fled the scene, according to a report from the Plant City Police Department.

The accident that caused the fatal injuries to Basila Santana, 75, occurred Oct. 22 at about 11:07 a.m., according to the police report. Santana and two other passengers in her car were reported at the time to have sustained serious injuries.

Santana was transported to South Florida Baptist Hospital, where "serious internal injuries" were discovered, according to the report. She was airlifted to St. Joseph's Hospital in Tampa, where she "died during surgery."

Arrested in the accident was Edilmar Palacio-DeLeon, 38, who reportedly fled the scene on foot before the officers arrived. The report notes that the officers, with the help of witnesses, found Palacio-DeLeon as he was "attempting to flee the area as a passenger in another vehicle."

According to investigators:

• Palacio-DeLeon was traveling southbound through the parking lot at Santa Sweets, "at a high rate of speed prior to the crash."
• Upon exiting the parking lot, Palacio-DeLeon failed to stop for Santana, who was driving westbound on Airport Road.
• The front of the 2003 Ford F-150 Palacio-DeLeon was driving reportedly struck the right front of Santana's 1995 Mercury Villager, "sending it careening into a nearby fence."
• The crash location was reported as 4006 Airport Road.

Palacio-DeLeon was arrested at the scene, where he was issued citations for leaving the scene of a traffic crash involving serious injury and for driving without a valid driver's license. The report notes that other citations were issued as well.

The investigation continues.

According to the report, "Investigators anticipate amending Palacio-DeLeon's charges to reflect the more serious crime of leaving the scene of a traffic crash involving death."

Palacio-DeLeon was transported to the Orient Road Jail in the Greater Brandon.

The passengers in Santana's car were not identified in the report.