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Man Killed By SUV Crossing US 1

November 2, 2005

Miami, FL

A Fort Pierce man was killed Thursday night on U.S. 1 while attempting to cross the highway when he walked into the path of a sport utility vehicle, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Frank Rotunno, 48, was pronounced dead at the scene after he walked east across U.S. 1 about a half-mile south of Spanish Lakes Boulevard around 11:40 p.m. and was struck by Susan Gregorian, 24, of Port St. Lucie who was driving her 2000 Isuzu SUV.

Gregorian wasn't wearing a seat belt, but did not sustain any injuries.

The crash was not related to Hurricane Katrina, said an FHP spokesman.

Gregorian stopped at the scene but shortly thereafter left the scene. Investigators caught up with her at her home after a call was placed from the house reporting the accident and informing authorities that the vehicle involved was parked at the home.

Gregorian has come under fire for leaving the crash site, but she reportedly was going to call the police. Her residence was not far from the scene and she did not have a cell phone. Investigators said that they will be taking these circumstances into account.

At Gregorian's home, investigators found her white Suzuki SUV with front-end damage, a St. Lucie County sheriff's report states. The SUV had also received damage to the left side of the windshield and there appeared to be human hair in the windshield.

Gregorian's mother, the owner of the vehicle, told deputies that her daughter had been driving the SUV. She was taken back to the accident scene for questioning.

Charges are pending.