A Florida woman is facing serious charges after authorities say she struck and killed a pedestrian, left the scene, and later admitted to her supervisor that she may have been involved.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving a 911 call around 4 a.m. on August 18 about a woman lying in the middle of West Highland Street in Lakeland. When deputies and paramedics arrived, 27-year-old Danielle Stilwell was pronounced dead.
Debris from the crash — including a damaged fender liner with a traceable part number — allowed investigators to narrow down the possible make and model of the vehicle. Surveillance cameras from a nearby gas station also captured a car matching that description circling the area before driving away.
Detectives eventually located the vehicle at a nearby residence. It was registered to 24-year-old Aliya Cruz, whose car was missing parts consistent with those found at the crash site. Confronted by investigators, Cruz admitted she was behind the wheel.
According to deputies, Cruz said she left her home around 3:50 a.m. to get to work by 4 a.m. She claimed that an oncoming truck’s high beams blocked her vision, and by the time it passed, she saw a woman lying in the roadway. Cruz said she swerved into the grass to avoid hitting her, but wasn’t sure if she made contact. Instead of stopping, she made a U-turn and continued to work, later telling investigators she didn’t want to be late.
At her workplace, supervisors confirmed Cruz arrived on time — but one also told deputies she confided in him that she had “possibly killed someone” and showed him photos of her damaged car. When he urged her to call police, Cruz allegedly responded with hesitation, insisting she thought she had swerved in time.
On August 22, Cruz reiterated the story to deputies and was arrested. She has been charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, a first-degree felony. She was released from Polk County Jail on August 24 after posting a $50,000 bond and awaits her next court appearance.
