BARTOW, Fla. – The person who hit and killed a Bartow Excessive College scholar weeks from commencement, then left the scene, is headed to jail after a choose handed down a 20-year sentence on Thursday.
Edgardo Rosado Perez showing in court docket.
Case in opposition to Edgardo Rosado Perez
The backstory:
In March 2024, the Florida Freeway Patrol stated Edgardo Rosado Perez dropped his 18-year-old daughter off at Bartow Excessive College and was concerned in a minor crash.
He left the scene and was dashing northbound on Jackson St. close to Pearl St., in accordance with FHP, when he hit and killed Zachariah Mark Clabough, 18, who was strolling to high school.
Zachariah Mark Clabough was killed whereas strolling to Bartow H.S. on Wednesday. Picture is courtesy of Jordan Howell.
Perez drove away from that scene, as properly, and was later arrested on the Brandon Mall.
Mugshot of Edgardo Rosado Perez. Courtesy: Polk County Jail.
On the time of the arrest, Clabough’s sister informed FOX 13 that her brother was about to graduate and had his cap and robe forward of the ceremony.
Courtroom paperwork present Perez pleaded responsible in February to vehicular murder, leaving the scene of a crash with demise and leaving the scene of a crash with property harm.
What they’re saying:
Clabough’s kin talked about how a lot they missed him and the way his future was stolen proper as he began a brand new chapter in life.
“I need Zachariah to return residence, however he cannot as a result of he is lifeless,” stated Barbara Runyon, Zachariah’s mother. “He is lifeless as a result of Edgardo killed him.”
“Zach was having fun with life like he often does,” stated Hunter Clabough, Zachariah’s brother. “Going to high school, enjoying video video games. He was there for everyone else. Skateboarding. Hanging out.”
“He had a lot extra life to stay, and now he’ll by no means do the issues he beloved and dreamed of doing, all because of you,” stated Emma Leighhaviland, Zachariah’s girlfriend addressing Perez.
“If this defendant did not blow via that cease signal at 75 miles per hour, Zachariah would nonetheless be right here right now,” stated Assistant State Lawyer Courtney Durden. “What occurred to Zachariah was utterly avoidable.”
The opposite aspect:
Whereas asking for leniency, Perez’s spouse testified he was burdened and was balancing a number of jobs. Perez himself informed Choose Michelle Pincket he was very remorseful.
“I want to apologize earlier than the household,” stated Perez. “It was not intentional. It was a foul choice that I made in my life.”
“The one factor I hope for is that you simply’re used for instance for stricter punishment for reckless driving in Polk County,” stated Dakota Runyon, Zachariah’s sister. “All I ask is that his mindless demise not be in useless.”
What’s subsequent:
Perez will serve his 20-year sentence with credit score for time served.
The Supply: This story was written with info collected by FOX 13’s Carla Bayron, a court docket listening to on April 10, 2025 and former FOX 13 Information experiences.
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