The Florida Highway Patrol has arrested a driver who is accused of leaving one of his passengers to die in a single-car crash in Wimauma early Friday morning.
Troopers say Oscar Lopez-Yesca, 22, of Wimauma was driving with two passengers in a 2004 GMC Yukon when he lost control on southbound U.S. 301, approaching Bishop Road, around 1 a.m.
After driving onto the shoulder and striking several trees, Lopez-Yesca and one of his passengers, 23-year-old Moliton Ramirez-Mati, ran from the crash, troopers say. The other passenger, Gabriel Hernandez Tello, 34, of Wimauma died at the scene.
Lopez-Yesca and Ramirez-Mati were found in woods near the crash scene, troopers say.
Ramirez-Mati, also of Wimauma, had a gash on his face from slamming into the windshield, said Sgt. Steve Gaskins, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol.
Lopez-Yesca has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, driving without a license and operating an unregistered motor vehicle.
He remained in the Hillsborough County jail Friday with bail set at $17,250. Jail records listed his employer as a carpentry company.
Contact Tony Marrero at tmarrero@tampabay.com or (813) 226-3374. Follow @tmarrerotimes.