A hospice nurse was on her way to work Sunday morning when investigators report a driver ran a red light, killing her.
Ann Marie Rotkowski was 59-years-old and loved serving people during their final moments.
“I wished it was me instead of her,” said Robert Hayes, the victim’s stepfather.
Hayes received an alarming call Sunday morning saying the victim hadn’t shown up to work.
“They said Ann Marie hasn’t shown up and you’re on her emergency contact, I said well it’s not like her to be late.”
Rotkowski’s stepfather went to her home to figure out what was going on, but Ann Marie was nowhere to be found. He would later receive a visit from law enforcement delivering the tragic news.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office states 39-year-old Jenri Fuentes Rodriguez crashed into the victim’s car at the intersection of Waters and Himes Avenue after running a red light.
Sheriff Chad Chronister says the suspect was speeding and had just fled two crash scenes before crashing into Ann Marie. Rodriguez was allegedly at a night club before the crashes happened.
“We got a search warrant to do a blood draw to determine his blood alcohol content at that time, we’re still waiting on the results, but I suspect that this vehicular homicide charge will be upgraded to a DUI vehicular homicide charge,” Chronister said.
The suspect is in jail without bond and faces charges that include:
- Vehicular homicide
- Leaving the scene of a crash with property damage x2
- Reckless driving with property damage or personal injury
“I’m angry, I’m sad,” said Alexis Savini, the victim’s coworker. “She was everything a hospice person should be and somebody awful, this bad guy, took her away from us.”
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Source: wfla
