JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A man was sentenced to 20 years behind bars in Duval County court on Thursday for killing a man in a hit-and-run crash on Beach Boulevard last May.
Edwin Rumaldo Amaya, 37, was sentenced on three charges: vehicular homicide, operating a vehicle without a driver's license and leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
On May 25, 2023 around 7:12 p.m., Florida Highway Patrol says Amaya hit and ran over two motorcyclists from behind. The crash happened on Beach Boulevard, just east of Tamaya Boulevard. Amaya left the scene and was arrested a week later after police located him and the Chevy Tahoe he was driving.
One motorcyclist, Lester 'Nicco' Bagalihog, was thrown from his bike and ran over by Amaya's SUV. Bagalihog was then rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, according to officials. A gravesite service was held for him on June 9 at the Oak Grove Cemetery.
Nicco was the youngest in his family and was a forklift driver.
“He’s a friendly guy. I cannot believe it. My wife has been crying. We love Nicco. We really love Nicco. I’m trying my best not to be emotional," the Nicco's father previously told First Coast News.
Investigators say a piece of denim was found on Amaya's vehicle which matched Bagalihog's DNA.
A witness at the scene gave the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office video of the incident that was recorded by his Tesla Model 3 vehicle.
