Police searching for hit and run witness

Police are looking for a possible witness to the hit and run that killed a University of Tampa student and seriously injured his friend.

According to detectives, witnesses at the scene said that they saw a small black tow truck with yellow lettering on the side chasing the driver who hit Erik Nicoletti and Cree Riley. The tow truck driver did not return to the scene and detectives have yet to locate the driver.

Nicoletti and Riley had just crossed West Kennedy Blvd. near North Blvd. just after 1 a.m. Saturday when they were hit by a beige 1993 Chrysler New Yorker driven by Andres Trujillio, 27, of Tampa.

Nicoletti died Monday after he was taken off life support. Riley remains in the hospital with serious injuries.

Trujillio, after pressure from his family members, turned himself in to police. He confessed to the hit and run and said that he was reaching down to pick up a dropped cigarette when he hit Nicoletti and Riley. Trujillio said he realized that he had hit something but thought it was a small car or motorcycle. He also told police that he was scared and was not drunk at the time of the accident.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS.