State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that Juan Victor Santizhernandez was convicted after jury trial of Count 1: Driving With No Valid Driver’s License Causing Death; Count 2: Leaving the Scene Of Crash with Death; and Count 3: Tampering with Evidence. The crimes were committed on 09/03/2023 and investigated by the Palmetto Police Department. The trial was held at the Manatee County Courthouse on June 23, 2025 through June 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 10:11pm at the intersection of US 41 North and 7th St. W. in Palmetto, FL a fatal crash occurred. The defendant, Juan Victor 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 on the scene of the crash. After the crash the defendant drove his truck to a nearby field and dislodged the victim’s motorcycle that was still stuck to the defendant’s truck and then he continued to drive various back roads of Palmetto until he crossed the Green bridge into Bradenton, FL. 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 victim, Hoang Vuong, was a loving husband and father to his family. The last words he told were to his son indicating that he would see him later when he arrived home. Nothing will replace what the victim and his family lost that day, but we are grateful to the Palmetto Police Department, especially Sergeant Schlabach, for the hard work and dedication that was demonstrated in investigating this case and bringing the Defendant to justice. We are thankful to the jury that endured hearing the facts of this case and focused on all the evidence to ensure that justice was served.”
The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Christina Walsh, commented:
“The death of the victim, Hoang Vuong, was tragic and entirely preventable had the Defendant chosen to obey the law on September 3, 2023. 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.”
If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Assistant State Attorney (Christina Walsh) in the Manatee County office at 941-747-3077.