Two pedestrians seriously hurt in Tampa hit-and-run

TAMPA — Police have identified the University of Tampa student and a friend who were critically injured in a hit-and-run accident on Kennedy Boulevard early Saturday.

Erik V. Nicoletti, 20, and Cree Alisha Riley, 19, were walking just after 1 a.m. on the north sidewalk of Kennedy near North Boulevard when a gray sedan traveling west on Kennedy veered over the curb and onto the sidewalk, striking both victims at about 30 mph, said Lt. Jack Diaz.

The driver then left the scene, Diaz said.

Hillsborough County Sheriff's deputies found the car abandoned later Saturday morning near the intersection of N Dale Mabry Highway and Lambright Avenue, police said.

Both victims were taken to Tampa General Hospital. As of 3 a.m., they were in critical condition, Diaz said.

Check back at tampabay.com for updates.