A Gibsonton man, Jonathan Rojas, has been arrested in connection to a hit-and-run crash that killed Isaiah Raposa, an 18-year-old motorcyclist. The crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday evening at the intersection of Symmes Road and Southwind Lake Drive.
Rojas, 27, was charged with leaving the scene of a deadly crash and driving without a valid license. Investigators say Rojas, driving a white sedan, struck Isaiah Raposa while attempting to make a left turn, then fled the scene.
Raposa’s mother, Jessica Washington, described her son as a loving, vibrant young man who was the light of her life. She recalled how he was always full of life and loved spending time with family and friends. “He loved everybody; he just was full of life,” she said.
Despite frantic attempts to reach her son, Washington later learned of his tragic passing at the hospital. The hit-and-run discovery has been especially difficult for her, but the arrest of Rojas has provided some relief to the grieving family.
“The feeling of relief that they found him was just, I can’t even put into words because he deserves to be in jail,” Washington shared.
In support of the Raposa family, a GoFundMe has been set up to help cover funeral and memorial service costs. Donations can be made here.
Sheriff Chad Chronister praised the collaboration between law enforcement agencies that led to Rojas’s arrest, saying, “This case is a testament to how working together can bring justice to the victim and their family.”
