Hit-and-run driver accused in crash that killed Bartow High School student arrested at mall

Bartow student killed weeks before graduation

The family of a Bartow High School student killed in a hit-and-run on Wednesday says the 18-year-old already had his cap and gown for his upcoming graduation.

BARTOW, Fla. - A man accused of hitting and killing a Bartow High School student and leaving the scene on Wednesday morning has been arrested.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Edgardo Joel Rosado Perez, 41, of Lakeland, dropped his 18-year-old daughter off at Bartow High School and was involved in a minor crash.

Troopers say he left the scene of the crash in a 2018 Hyundai sedan.

While speeding northbound on Jackson Street near Pearl Street, troopers say he hit and killed an 18-year-old, later identified as Zachariah Mark Clabough, a Bartow High School student, who was walking to school.

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Troopers say Perez drove away from that crash too.

Zachariah Mark Clabough was killed while walking to Bartow H.S. on Wednesday. Image is courtesy of Jordan Howell.

The vehicle was later found at Perez’s Polk County home parked inside his garage where troopers learned he had driven away in a blue 2017 Ford Fiesta which also belonged to him.

Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office deputies later located the Ford Fiesta parked at the Brandon Mall and found Perez inside the mall.

Troopers arrested him for leaving the scene of a fatal crash and took him to jail.

Zachariah Clabough’s sister, Jordan Howell, told FOX 13 that her brother was getting ready to graduate and already had his cap and gown. She added that he also worked at Arby’s and was saving up to buy his first car, which he wanted to purchase this week.

"Zach has been through so much and was such a great soul. He had his whole life ahead of him & that was just ripped away from him," Howell shared. "I’m really at a loss for words as I think I’m still in shock trying to process all of this, but my heart is completely broken."

Howell added that their father, William Mark Clabough was killed in 2020 at the Marathon on Havendale Blvd. when a sedan hit a Ford Mustang that was parked at the pumps, and then plowed into the side of the gas station store.

A GoFundMe was created by the family of Zachariah Clabough.

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