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Polk Teenager Hit By Car While Texting In Street Dies

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TBO.com

Published: September 22, 2008

A 14-year-old hit by a car Sunday as he crossed the road and wrote text messages on his cell phone died this afternoon, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said.

Christopher Cepeda of Davenport and three friends were crossing U.S. 27 from the east shoulder of the road to the west side, just south of the intersection at Legacy Park Boulevard about 8 p.m. Sunday, sheriff's spokeswoman Donna Wood said in a statement.

Cepeda's friends stopped when they saw a tan, 1998 Buick four-door sedan traveling in the inside lane, deputies said. Cepeda was texting on his cell phone and did not see the Buick, Wood said. The impact caused the teen to hit the car's hood and windshield, deputies said.

The driver, Denise Sottilaro, 42, of Haines City, was not hurt in the crash. Sottilaro stopped immediately and called 911, deputies said.

Cepeda was taken to Heart of Florida Hospital in Davenport and later taken by medical helicopter to Arnold Palmer Hospital in Orlando, where he died from his injuries at 2:10 p.m. today, Wood said.

Charges are not expected against Sottilaro, Wood said.

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