A motorcycle driver is accused of driving recklessly and performing a wheelie, throwing him and his passenger off the vehicle, resulting in the passenger’s death.
Vito Cacciapaglia, 25 was driving a Kawasaki motorcycle through Miami Aug. 27 about 4:25 p.m. when his careless driving caused him and his passenger to fall off the bike, according to an arrest report. Cacciapaglia fled the scene on foot while his passenger remained on the ground injured, the report stated.
The unidentified passenger was transported to a local hospital and pronounced dead.
How was motorcycle driver accused of wheelie, killing passenger found in Florida?
Authorities responded to a home where the motorcycle was registered to.
A resident there said his roommate, Cacciapaglia, came to the home with injuries to the right side of his body and “appeared to be
in an altered state of mind.” Detectives found Cacciapaglia at a nearby hospital. He was admitted to the hospital for his injuries.
The day after the crash, investigators obtained video evidence showing Cacciapaglia driving recklessly and performing the wheelie that forced him and his passenger of the motorcycle.
Cacciapaglia was arrested and is facing charges of leaving the scene of a car resulting in death and vehicular homicide. He has pleaded not guilty.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Motorcycle passenger dies after driver's wheelie, Florida police say
