Authorities Seek Driver in Holiday Crash

A man died in the hospital Sunday after he was ejected from a Jeep in a crash in Holiday and then struck by a car, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The man, a 23-year-old from Guatemala who has not been identified, was riding in the front passenger side of a 1990 Jeep Wrangler that had stopped heading west on Flora Avenue at a red light at the road’s intersection with U.S. 19 around 12:47 a.m.

The Jeep then ran the red light and crossed into the path of a 2009 Yamaha motorcycle that was heading north on U.S. 19 toward Flora, according to a FHP report. The motorcycle hit the driver’s side of the Jeep.

The Jeep turned west toward the southbound lanes of U.S. 19.

The motorcyclist, Albert Herman, 36, of Holiday, was ejected off the bike, and the Jeep’s passenger was expelled from the Wrangler. He was then struck by a 2001 Volkswagen Jetta headed south in the center lane on U.S. 19. The Jetta was driven by Erick Rivas, 33, of Holiday.

Herman, the motorcyclist, was taken to a hospital with serious injuries.

The driver of the Jeep, whose identity is unknown, fled the crash on foot. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office and FHP have not been able to locate him.

The crash is still under investigation. If you have information about the identity or location of the driver, contact Cpl. Covert of the FHP at 813-631-4020.