Local Man Convicted After Deadly Hit and Run

After fleeing a deadly hit-and-run accident, Juan Victor Santizhernandez was convicted in a jury trial of Driving Without a Valid Driver's License Causing Death, Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Death, and Tampering with Evidence. The crimes were committed in September of 2023 and investigated by the Palmetto Police Department. The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse from June 23 to 25, 2025.

The crimes carry a maximum possible sentence of 40 years, if sentenced consecutively. The minimum mandatory sentence is 4 years. Sentencing is scheduled for August 20, 2025.

On September 03, 2023, at approximately 10:11 pm, at the intersection of US 41 North and 7th St. W. in Palmetto, FL, a fatal crash occurred.  Santizhernandez, who does not have a valid driver’s license, took a left turn and drove into the right of way of the victim, Hoang Vuong, causing a crash.

The victim was driving a motorcycle when crashed into by this defendant. The defendant left the scene of the fatal crash without rendering aid, assistance, or reporting this crash to any law enforcement agency. The victim, Hoang Vuong, died at the scene of the crash.

After the crash, the defendant drove his truck to a nearby field and dislodged the victim’s motorcycle, which was still stuck to the defendant’s truck. Then he continued to drive various back roads of Palmetto until he crossed the Green bridge into Bradenton. The defendant, knowing an investigation was pending or about to be instituted, proceeded to tamper with various pieces of evidence to avoid detection and apprehension for these crimes.

“The death of the victim, Hoang Vuong, was tragic and entirely preventable had the Defendant chosen to obey the law on September 3, 2023," said Assistant State Attorney Christina Walsh, the lead prosecutor in the case. "Instead, Juan Victor Santizhernandez chose to drive without a license and then flee from the scene after striking Hoang Vuong on his motorcycle, leaving him to die on the road behind him. He even went so far as to destroy evidence in an attempt to conceal his culpability.”