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Polk Teen Hit While Texting In Street Dies

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TBO.com

Published: September 23, 2008

DAVENPORT - A 14-year-old hit by a car Sunday when he was crossing a road while he wrote text messages on his cell phone died Monday 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, 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 car traveling in the inside lane, deputies said. Cepeda was texting and did not see the tan, 1998 Buick sedan, 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 Monday afternoon, Wood said.

Charges are not expected against Sottilaro, Wood said.

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