Police: Hit-and-run suspect intentionally crashed into family, killing father
TAMPA (FOX 13) - A Tampa man was arrested in the deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a father and injured his two sons this weekend, and police said he purposely crashed into the family.
Tampa police arrested Mikese Morse on Sunday evening, after the crash occurred earlier in the afternoon at New Tampa Boulevard and Wood Sage Drive. Police said the family was riding their bicycles on a marked bike path separated by a grassy median.
Tampa Police Chief Brian Dugan said during a Monday morning press conference witnesses saw a maroon-colored car, driven by Morse, make a U-turn, accelerate off the road, and crash into the family. In an arrest affidavit, Morse admitted to purposely striking the family.
“The suspect accelerated and intentionally ran over the victim," Dugan explained. "He appears to be someone who is disturbed and investigators are still piecing that together."
On June 12, Dugan said Morse entered one of the agency's district offices and "exhibited odd behavior." He was taken into custody under the Baker Act. In the past he has had minor traffic infractions.
"I have to be careful of what I say as the investigation unfolds, but, what type of person would purposely run over a family that was just bicycling down a bike path?" Dugan said.
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The chief said the investigators are aware of "disturbing" content on his social media accounts, including posts that were made after the accident, that appear to make violent threats.
"I think the people in his social network need to alert authorities. I'm sure somebody saw them," Dugan explained. "I'm not interested in blaming someone for not coming forward. He is to blame for his actions."
Dugan said Morse fled after crashing into the family. The father, 42-year-old Pedro Aguerreberry, was transported to a nearby hospital, and later died.
His youngest son, 3-year-old Bennett, has serious injuries, while his second son, 8-year-old Lucas, has non-life threatening injuries, police said. Both children are expected to survive.
Tampa police said a witness found the car abandoned in their neighborhood about two miles away from the crash scene. Dugan said tape was placed on his windshield to conceal any damage.
Later that evening, they found Morse at his parents' home. Dugan said it doesn't appear the family and Morse knew each other, and investigators believe the family was targeted at random.
"This is definitely random and it was purposely done," Dugan said. "We don't know why. He had no contact with the family."
According to his arrest record, Morse faces several charges, including premeditated murder and attempted murders and leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and serious injuries.