CASSELBERRY, Fla. — State troopers say a 22-year-old woman has been arrested in the hit-and-run crash that killed a man who was walking his dog in Seminole County.
Investigators said the suspect also torched the SUV, trying to destroy evidence.
>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<
The 63-year-old victim, Jorge DeCastro was hit on Eagle Circle in Casselberry, which is just north of Red Bug Lake Road, on June 1.
Shawn Creedon, the victim’s brother, told Channel 9 that he is thankful that Florida Highway Patrol found the person responsible for his brother’s death but said the arrest will not be able to bring him back.
0 of 5
Maya Calzada of Winter Park is now facing several charges including vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of an accident and perjury for the crash.
Casselberry police are also pursuing arson charges.
Read: FHP: Arrest made in deadly Casselberry hit-and-run crash that killed man walking his dog
Investigators said Calzada was behind the wheel of a silver Audi SUV that hit and killed DeCastro.
According to troopers, after Calzada left the scene, she torched the SUV to destroy evidence and then reported the vehicle stolen.
Read: Family of 5 found dead in apparent murder-suicide, Orlando police say
“There was too many inconsistencies, from speaking with people and looking at the video and so forth,” said Florida Highway Patrol spokesperson Lt. Channing Taylor. “The best thing to do with this was to stay and own up to its responsibility. I think maybe she was driving a little fast or something. Who knows? But it makes it much worse when you leave the scene.”
Creedon told Channel 9 that his brother had been taking care of his mother the last couple of years before she passed. DeCastro just got his motorcycle license and was getting his life back when he was hit and killed.
Read: Lake County officials: Emails sent encouraging voters NOT to vote by mail cause confusion
“We were planning a trip to Costa Rica to ride through the rainforest there. And he was planning on selling his home and potentially moving,” Creedon said. “He had a lot of things in the works that, unfortunately, he never got a chance to realize.”
There may be others who face charges for helping Calzada, who was released on bond.
Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
©2022 Cox Media Group
