New details in Fort Pierce fatal crash case
FORT PIERCE − An ID card and footage from surveillance cameras appeared to play key roles in the investigation that police said links a 29-year-old man to a fatal crash from which he fled the scene, according to records obtained Wednesday.
Marcos Gonzalez-salinas, of the 3100 block of Mura Drive in Fort Pierce, was arrested Dec. 2 on a host of charges, including vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a crash involving death, following the Nov. 22 crash at Boston Avenue and South 13th Street that fatally injured 19-year-old Loocyka Da Sooina.
Da Sooina and an 18-year-old man in a Kia were taken to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce. Da Sooina died shortly after being taken to the hospital, while the 18-year-old man in the Kia sustained critical injuries, April Lee, police spokesperson, has said. An infant in the vehicle did not sustain serious injuries.
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When police arrived at the crash site, a Toyota Sequoia was in the middle of the road with heavy front end damage. A heavily damaged Kia was on the south side of the road next to a tree.
Police have said a white Toyota sport utility vehicle was westbound on Boston Avenue approaching South 13th Street as a Kia sedan traveled south on South 13th Street.
“The white SUV failed to yield to the right of way and crashed into the Kia sedan,” police stated.
A witness said the Toyota ran a stop sign and crashed into the other vehicle before the Toyota driver ran away.
At the Toyota, police reported finding a wallet with Gonzalez-salinas’ identification card and an address in the 900 block of Citrus Avenue. A 32-ounce bottle of beer was next to the wallet.
Records show Gonzalez-salinas’ license has been suspended since 2011 in connection with driving under the influence. Police reported later finding a bag of methamphetamine in the Toyota door panel.
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At the Citrus Avenue address, police spoke to the homeowner, who said she and her husband left to go to Miami earlier in the day. She said they left the vehicle at their home with the keys in the center console. The woman said she had a son named Gonzalez-salinas.
The day after the crash, police spoke to Gonzalez-salinas, noting he had injuries consistent with hitting his head on the windshield and his lower lip on the steering wheel airbag.
Asked what happened to his forehead, Gonzalez-salinas said he was shaving.
Gonzalez-salinas’ stepfather said he had video from the automotive shop where he and Gonzalez-salinas work. Police reported video shows Gonzalez-salinas driving the Toyota 23 minutes before the crash.
Police reported three surveillance cameras showed Gonzalez-salinas running from the scene.
According to police, Gonzalez-salinas ultimately “gave a confession to the crime and stated that he only ran because he was scared,” records show.
Gonzalez-salinas’ lawyer is listed as the public defender, but a specific public defender has not been assigned.
Will Greenlee is a breaking news reporter for TCPalm. Follow Will on Twitter @OffTheBeatTweet or reach him by phone at 772-267-7926. E-mail him at will.greenlee@tcpalm.com
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This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: New details released in fatal hit-and-run case in Fort Pierce
