Crime & Safety
Brandon Man Charged in Auto Fatality
Addison C. Strzalka has been charged with vehicular homicide in the death of Nicole B. Petracci. Strzalka's reported blood alochol level was .034 shortly after the crash." Petracci died at the scene on Natures Way in Valrico.
A Brandon man has been charged with vehicular homicide in the November crash that killed Nicole B. Petracci, 19, a graduate of Bloomingale High School.
According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, Addison C. Strzalka, 20, of 722 Fortuna Drive, had “a blood-alcohol level of .034 one hour and 45 minutes after the crash,” which occurred Nov. 10 on Natures Way Boulevard in Valrico.
“While at the crash scene, a deputy overheard Strzalka talking on a cell phone saying, ‘I was going too fast, I was trying to show off,’ ” according to a July 7 sheriff’s office report, which gave this account.
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Strzalka continued: “ ‘Dad, I’m sorry, I totaled your truck.’ ”
Strzalka was driving north in the southbound lane of Natures Way in a 2007 Chevrolet pickup “between 88 and 90 miles per hour in a posted 30 mph speed zone.”
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Attempting to negotiate a curve, Strzalka lost control and struck a tree. The impact ejected Petracci from the truck.
Petracci died at the scene, and Strazalka was transported to Tampa General Hospital for treatment of injuries.
Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office traffic homicide investigators filed criminal charges with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.
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