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Published on Thursday, April 29, 2004
in the Bradenton Herald
MANATEE - A 35-year-old Bradenton man was arrested Wednesday after he confessed to being the driver in fatal hit-and-run crash last week on Cortez Road, Florida Highway Patrol troopers reported.
Troopers received a tip Wednesday morning that led them to the home of Reymundo V. Ortega, of 702 51st St. E., Apt. 127, in Bradenton, where investigators found evidence near a trash compactor, according to a news release issued late Wednesday night.
The items matched evidence found at the scene of the crash that killed 45-year-old Amy B. Caplin of Sarasota at about 2:20 a.m. April 18 on Cortez Road and Fifth Street West, troopers said.
Ortega was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with death and tampering with evidence, the report stated. Investigators received information that the vehicle involved in the crash was in Parrish, where troopers stopped the driver and began questioning him.
Troopers say Ortega confessed to the crash and to attempting to repair his vehicle. He had already replaced the left front headlight and grille assembly. Troopers say there was still evidence clearly visible on the hood, left front fender and the bumper of the 2002 Ford F150 truck.
The truck was seized and taken to the FHP station in Bradenton.