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Hernando Today

Arrest Made In NCT Junior's Death

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By KYLE MARTIN

Hernando Today

Published: November 6, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - An arrest has been made in connection with a collision that killed a Brooksville teenager as he pedaled his bike to a party.

The Florida Highway Patrol reported Wednesday that Leo Salvato, 37, of 251 Hampshire Ave., had a blood alcohol level of .158 when he struck the 17-year-old cyclist on May 31. Florida law presumes intoxication at .08.
Salvato faces charges of DUI manslaughter, driving on a suspended license causing death, leaving the scene of a traffic crash resulting in death and careless driving.

The teenager, Scott Avery, died from his injuries shortly after he was hit on Powell Road. It's believed he was riding his bicycle to a party near his home on Dynasty Road when the collision occurred around 9:45 p.m.

Avery was a junior at Nature Coast Technical High School, where hundreds of students turned up for a memorial service the day after his death. He also played on the football and basketball teams at the school.

The Sharks have posted a remarkable season on the gridiron this year, having won eight straight games and a district championship. At home games, the first two players to trot out onto the field carry Avery's jersey with them in his memory.

"We've dedicated our season to Scott," said Jamie Joyner, head football coach. "We've tried to use that in a very respectful way as motivation to do our very best."

Joyner doesn't believe that it's a coincidence that his football team is ranked No. 10 in the state - the same number on Avery's jersey.

A message left for Avery's family was not returned.

Court records show Salvato has a criminal history in Hernando County dating back to 1998. Most offenses are related to his suspended driver's license, but also include battery on law enforcement and DUI, records show.

Reporter Kyle Martin can be reached at 352-544-5271 or kmartin@hernandotoday.com.

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