Pedestrian Struck, Killed On S.R. 50

BROOKSVILLE - It was intended as a warning; the parting words of a safety-minded deputy.

But, as she recounted the sudden death of her brother on Monday, Wendy Morales Luppo couldn't help but consider otherwise.

"I think it was a curse," she said.

More than 12 hours earlier, at about 1 a.m., her brother, Anthony Morales, was walking with her along the eastbound shoulder of Cortez Boulevard.

Joining them was her husband, Matthew Luppo, and Morales' girlfriend, Rachel Fronfrias. They had just passed Brooksville Regional Hospital.

A deputy stopped them briefly to check up on what the four were up to. They explained they were walking to Wal-Mart on Broad Street to pick up some lunch for that day's work. Then they were going to a temp service to see what was available.

Their trek began less than a mile away at the trailer park where they live on Point View Road, between California Street and Lykes Dublin Road.

The deputy sent them on their way and added: "Watch out for those crazy drivers."

All four began walking again, two abreast, along the shoulder in the direction of Mobley Road. No sooner had the cruiser's taillights disappeared around the bend when a blur of tan struck 35-year-old Morales.

Luppo, who felt a whoosh of air by his elbow, likened the sound of impact to a tractor trailer's tire exploding.

Morales was launched 165 feet through the air, by their estimates, and landed on his right side in the grass.

The car sped off, authorities say, but the trio was too concerned with helping their friend to notice. Luppo raced to the ditch where his brother-in-law was lying.

Morales was unconscious but his eyes were wide open. "I was trying to keep a cool head" so he would have someone calm to look at if he woke up, Luppo said.

The victim eventually regained consciousness on the scene and he was flown to St. Joseph's Hospital. At the time, it seemed his injuries were limited to a broken arm and leg - severe but not life-threatening.

Nevertheless, Morales died at 4:47 a.m. An autopsy will determine whether the accident killed him or other health issues.

Meanwhile, police were on the lookout for a 1990 Crown Victoria with body damage. They found the car four miles away at the intersection of Arnold Avenue and Sabra Drive.

The driver, 29-year-old Jason Blair, of 1080 Buena Vista Drive, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with a death, a third-degree felony. He has since posted a $10,000 bond.

Toxicology results will determine if there are other charges.

On Monday afternoon, the three that witnessed the accident recounted the experience and spoke of their brother, boyfriend and brother-in-law.

They remember him as the loveable jokester, the guy who would say anything to get a laugh.

He was a diehard Buccaneers fan; his favorite wrestler was The Undertaker. He had a nervous habit of rubbing his shoulder whenever he watched either sport and wore a hole in more than one shirt doing that.

His favorite color was purple and he wasn't shy about wearing that color. He tried on a pink shirt once, but "that lasted about two seconds," Luppo said with a laugh.

His favorite food was Italian, especially pizza.

The Miami native was due to be wed this Valentine's Day, but the ceremony was postponed because the pastor had a death in the family. They still planned to get married as soon as possible.

He made a trip to his visit his girlfriend's family in New York, including her children.

"My kids loved him more than their real father," Fronfrias said.

An abusive childhood made for a tempestuous relationship with his sister, but they patched things up five years ago. The affection he showed towards his nieces and nephews led some people to mistake him for their father.

"He helped me be a better mother," Morales Luppo said.

Services are incomplete at this time.