A year has passed since a hit-and-run traffic incident on the Anna Maria Island Bridge resulted in a Bradenton man’s death.
Now, the man’s wife is seeking retribution for what she believes was a wrongful death.
Bradenton resident Jean Nieto told The Islander May 7 that she is seeking witnesses of the April 27, 2020, incident that hospitalized her husband of 36 years, David, who was in a coma
from severe head trauma, before he died from his injuries May 22, 2020.
David was riding his bicycle eastbound onto the bridge from the sidewalk along the north side of Manatee Avenue/State Road 64 when he fell into the road and was struck by a truck traveling west, according to the Florida Highway Patrol, which investigated the incident.
FHP’s conclusion that David fell into the roadway cleared the motorist of fault for the incident, but Nieto said she’s spoken with a witness who said they saw the motorist’s vehicle strike her husband, knocking him into the road.
“There’s conflicting reports,” Nieto said. “Another guy said David just fell off his bike, which I find hard to believe. So, we’re kind of at a standstill and I was hoping that other people could provide some more input and move this forward.”
Nieto said she’s seeking additional witnesses to pursue a wrongful death claim against the motorist’s insurer and she hired Orlando-based Morgan & Morgan to take the case.
“If I could go against the Florida Highway Patrol, I would, but I can’t,” she said. “I think it was mishandled from the beginning. …But I don’t have any proof.”
Nieto said her husband was a man of “utmost safety,” who she doubted would have fallen into the roadway without cause.
“They’re trying to make it all David’s fault. …He wasn’t drunk,” Nieto said. “He was out getting exercise, and something knocked him off that bike and under that trailer. And I’m just very angry.”
Nieto said she is organizing a celebration of life event at Coquina Beach for Saturday, May 22 — the anniversary of her husband’s death. She said about 90 people are expected to attend.
She also hopes to purchase a memorial bench in Bradenton Beach.
“He loved it over there,” Nieto said.
To report information about the April 27, 2020, hit-and-run crash, contact FHP Bradenton at 941-751-8350.