Bradenton man sentenced in fatal hit-and-run that killed 60-year-old pedestrian
A Bradenton man who investigators said killed a pedestrian in a State Road 70 crash and ran from the scene is set to spend the next decade in prison, court records show.
A Manatee County judge sentenced 23-year-old Gustavo DeLeon III to 10 years in prison and five years of probation after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter and driving without a valid license causing death, according to court records.
An attorney representing DeLeon did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash came after a Manatee County deputy tried to stop a red 2015 Chevy Malibu driven by DeLeon for going about 50 mph in a 30 mph zone in a residential area. The deputy said DeLeon fled, driving recklessly through neighborhood streets and reaching higher speeds before turning onto State Road 70.
Troopers said DeLeon’s Malibu struck the rear of a 2014 Volkswagen that was turning, causing the Volkswagen to spin. DeLeon’s Malibu then struck 60-year-old Henry Norman Gray, a Bradenton man standing on the raised median, propelling him into a Sarasota County bus that was traveling east, according to an arrest report.
Gray died at the scene, according to FHP.
Bradenton man sentenced in fatal hit-and-run crash
In an arrest report, deputies said they smelled marijuana and found beer inside DeLeon’s car. Investigators said DeLeon was driving on a suspended license at the time of the crash.
Deputies used a K-9 unit to track DeLeon after he ran from the crash and arrested him behind a nearby business, the report says. He was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked into jail, according to court records. Several people in the Volkswagen and on the bus had minor injuries, FHP said.
Troopers said DeLeon showed no signs of impairment when they evaluated him at HCA Florida Blake Hospital, though they collected a voluntary blood sample for testing. The results of that test were not included in the arrest report.
Prosecutors originally charged DeLeon with six counts, including manslaughter, vehicular homicide, fleeing or attempting to elude and leaving the scene with death. One reckless driving charge was dropped, and another was reduced before trial, court records show.
As part of his sentence, Circuit Judge Matt Whyte also suspended DeLeon’s driver’s license for five years after his release from prison, according to court records. He must complete a 12-hour advanced driving course, work or apply for jobs while on probation and make progress toward a GED or trade program, court records show.
DeLeon was acquitted on one count of leaving the scene of a crash with death, according to court records. After sentencing, prosecutors appealed a judge’s decision to throw out a vehicular homicide charge, while DeLeon’s defense appealed his conviction and sentence. Both appeals remain pending, according to court records.
