Deadly hitandrun crash on the Howard Franklin bring. Right now two of the northbound lanes are shut down. And news channel 8s ryan hughes is live from the bridge this morning. The tow truck driver is dead, and now troopers are searching for the car that killed him . Reporter yeah, the frantic search, gayle, is underway far 2014 volkswagon, either a jetta or eos. Its black in color. Radioeducate right now they are ending to the body, so we are going to push off on me and go to traffic. The tow truck driver was attending to a disabled vehicle, and he was struck by the volkswagon. He was pronounced dead on the scene. The two people in the car initially, who need the assistance of the tow truck driver were actually in the front cab of the tow truck at the time of the crash. Fhp is investigating this, and as asaid, they are look ing for a 2014 Volkswagon Jetta or eos. Could have gotten off on any exit from this point forward. If you have any information, youre asked to contact fhp. Leslee, back to you. That happened a couple of hours ago, and the vehicle is long gone at this point, but heres what you need to know. We have a little bit of a slowdown, but vehicles were getting by. At this point it will only take 8 or 9 minutes to cross the Howard Franklin bridge, but two lanes are taken away due to the fatal crash. If you are leaving the house soon, its okay to cross the bridge. If youre leaving in half an hour to 45 minutes, check in with me to see how far the backup is. Hopefully they have it cleared up it will only take 8 minutes to cross the Howard Franklin bridge. The Courtney Campbell up to speed as well. Issue in bradenton. Cortez road at 20th street, is. And now ulmerton road, all the eastbound lanes are still blocked. The earlier picture, that was a flat bed truck that was just wrapped around the pole, and you can see it again. Its hard to tell, but you can see the back bed of the truck this is is a possible fatal crash, folks, and all the eastbound lanes taken away here of 275. What you need to remember here, roosevelt to 275, not ulmerton. Again, all the eastbound lanes are taken away. For the folks who are used to taking it, they want to take roosevelt instead. Such a sad, sad morning today. An earlier fatal on ridge rode and u. S. 19. That cleared from the roadway, but maybe three fatals today. Very, very sad, and this morning we are also seeing the sun will be up in 15 to 20 minute was. Its currently comfortable. Significantly warmer than this time yesterday. Plant city, youre 16 degrees warmer than you saw on sunday. 13degrees warmer in tampa. During the afternoon, we make it all the way 207 5, and thats a all the way to 75, and thats above average. Weather and traffic on the 8s, at 6 08, i go hourbyhour through president s day and the rain tonight. Leigh, thank you. We were just listening to the details on the hitandrun at the Howard Franklin, franklin, and its ironic with the breaking news we are follow this morning, we are looking at the hitandrun crashes in the state. Later today the florida patrol will make this a top priority to get drivers involved in crashes to stop. Lindsey mastis is live from fhp in bradenton. Its really impacting people in our area. Reporter it is. Just this morning, hearing not crash, thats not the only one we have this morning, and its morning. Thats exactly why the florida Highway Patrol is doing this Awareness Week they are meet here at 10 30, really focusing on the consequences. They are hoping that will help the drivers realize they need to stop when the crashes happen, and you know, one legal expert tells us theres all kinds of reasons why people are not stopping. It could be everything from they are maybe not supposed to be out, maybe they are breaking their curfew or they are on house arrest, or second, they feel the wrong place at the wrong time, and safety may be an issue for them. Reporter state law requires drivers to stay on the scene they are also supposed to help anyone injured if they can. Legislation from 2014 requires drivers who flee the scene of a of 4 years in prison. The ramifications are something that families like the gimsons know all too well. Stacey lost her son to a hit andrun driver 2 years ago. You have caused devastation, its your responsibility to stay and see what you can do to help. Reporter and that driver who hit her son got a 13year prison sentence, and she telling 8 on your side she doesnt think its enough considering her son lost his life. Last year there were 92,000 hit andruns in florida, and this is a huge problem, and we are going to have updates all morning long, not just about the hitandrun crash, but also this meeting they will be having today, focusing on what happens to drivers involved in hitandruns. Gene . Back to you. It could impact anyone, obviously the family of the victim this morning on the Howard Franklin bridge, not expecting this to happen. We can see how it impacts everyone in the community, new this morning, we have some jawdropping video to show you of some pretty bad driving, and Pinellas Park police are looking for the driver of this white car, and this is becoming a game with some Young Drivers who take a video of themselves driving wrecklessly and post it to social media. Hes going to cause an accident. Oh my god shhhh. Oh my god oh my god [horn honking ] hes going to cause an accident this stunt was pulled in the area of 66th street and 121st avenue, and if you know who the driver is, please call Pinellas Park police. The nation is mourning the loss of Supreme CourtJustice Antonin Scalia. Many describe him as devoted to the law. Flags are flying at half staff in front of the white house and the Supreme Court building. In virginia after being flown there from texas. Scalias family is requesting that there not be a private autopsy because he died of natural cause was, and he was visiting a ranch in the lone star state. Now the nation waits to see who president obama will nominate to be his successor. The president claims he will make the nomination once the Senate Returns for a weeklong recess. However, republicans are insisting, president obama wait until after the election, and democrats worry that the high court could end up deadlocked on multiple issues with just 8 members. A Manatee County deputy is on administrative leave after shooting and killing a man during a domestic dispute in bradenton. This is an update to breaking news we covered at 11 00. The Sheriffs Office says the deputies shot 50yearold Mark Stoddard when he approached with a knife. This is one of our top clicked its 6 08, and we are turning things over to leigh spann with weather and traffic. We only have a few days before the gasparilla classic, and im putting my shoe of approval on a morning run. Around 71 this evening, but a 10 rain chance. Let me break it down specifically hourbyhour. 57 at 8 00 a. M. , and already 64 at 10 00 a. M. , 70 at noon, 75 for the afternoon high, happening right around 3 00 p. M. , and also after 3 00 p. M. , i add in a small rain chance in our headlines, the cold front is coming through very early tomorrow morning, basically right now, 24 hours from thousand, and our best rain chance will be 4 00 a. M. To 10 00 a. M. Tomorrow, and then sunny, pleasant day on sunday or excuse me wednesday through sunday. Notice today, 75, and just slightly below average for tuesday, wednesday, and thursday. Checking on traffic on the 8s. Pleasant weather, but not so pleasant on the roadways this morning. We have two confirmed fatal accidents, possibly a third. Its been a mess. The Howard Franklin bridge. At this point it will only take 8 or 9 minutes to cross it. The gandhi bridge, its yellow, too, but its just because of the lights. The Howard Franklin, a fatal accident tieing up the two right lanes there, and basically youre getting the slowandgo approach to it. Still you can cross, and you dont need to take an alternate. Im keeping an eye on the breaking news for you. Lets go to malik. Hes out in the Feather Sound area, and look at that vehicle wrapped around the pole, and heres what is going on. Eastbound ulmerton road, we have had all lanes blocked, and they have now opened one lane this is a possible fatal crash here, folks, and you can see, theres the roadway. One lane has been reopened thats good news. Traffic kind of light in the area overall, but i will be keeping a note on these throughout the morning and let you know as soon as they wrap up. Now back to gene and gayle. A terrifying day for a car rental company. Once you see this disaster, you will be so thankful we dont get snow. News channel 8 is in cuba all week long. Up next what the u. S. Sell gates are doing today to help expand trade with cuba. Its 6 11. U. S. Congresswoman, kathy caster is in havana this weekend, and so is news channel 8. She is looking at how political change similar pacting the country and ways to expand business with cuba. Jeff patterson is the only local reporter there and shows us what is on the agenda for today. Reporter it was a busy weekend for the u. S. Delegation. They met with a businesswoman licensed by the government to do that, and they met with one man who services the beautiful cars to keep them on the road. They wanted to find out what impact the political changes are having on their lives, and today the u. S. Congressional delegation will meet with port officials to find out what are the obstacles in business between tampa and cuba to find out what can be done to make the obstacles easier to get around. Thank you, jeff. 8 on your side has reports for cuba all week. You can find more on jeffs stories over the next several days. A massive fire is under investigation in new york this morning. Look at the images here. More than 140 firefighters battled the massive fire in brooklyn, and you can see the flames are shooting out of the building. The entire home was engulfed. Right now the fbi is trying to figure out who installed an car and then returned the car. An Avis Budget Rental employee car. The bomb squad spent hours working to neutralize it. Fortunately no one was hurt. Dash cams are not just for Law Enforcement anymore. For 25 and up, they are becoming more and more affordable and popular. I did some digging and found these days theres no telling doing mind the wheel. Reporter a quick stop for a cup of coffee at paneras in south tampa, and a fender bender. Reporter you bumped like right in there . Thats the tail pipe. Reporter kim kelly got her dash camera for christmas, and it didnt take long before it captured this video. Because they are becoming more affordable, they are growing in popularity, and even Law Enforcement believes if used properly, it could only help in an investigation. Without the videos, its he did run the red light . Sometimes who was at the stop sign first, and who had rightofway. Reporter kim kelly says the man was super cooperative and cut her a check for damages to her car, and now shes ready for a rearfacing dash cam because you never know what you may see. See road rage, potential accidents, people racing. Reporter and now we can catch it all on camera. Yikes. Reporter keep many mind it keeps track of what you say behind the wheel because theres audio involved, but now i want a forwardfacing and rearfacing dash cam. I see them all the time for helmets for people on motorcycles for the safety concerns to see what is going on around them before or after they crash. Exactly. Now to an 8 on your side alert. Tax season just started, and the irs is warning americans something could be wrong with their tax returns. Taxpayers are receiving letter from the irs saying the agency is doling with tons of fraudulent returns. The reason . Last years Data Security breeches, but the good news on your side found more security measures are in place to detect fake returns. Look at this collision near indianapolis. 40 to 50 cars were involved. Authorities dont know what caused the crashes, but it storm. 2miles of the highway were closed to clean up the collisions. Several injuries were reported, evening leg. Its not looking any better in ohio this guy is taking one step forward and two steps back when it comes to clearing the snow off his car. Big problem. Roads frozen and covered in snow, causing traffic problems all over the state. Drivers on the highway slowed way down because of the low visibility on top of everything else. We had a beautiful weekend. Not too bad today, but the weekend was fantastic. Today, you wake up, head outside, and its quite comfortable. Mild, 57 degrees, and more clouds today. Obviously we barely saw a cloud at all yesterday, but clouds increased throughout the day today. 73 at 3 00 p. M. , and theres a small afternoon rain chance, and right now, plant city, youre not bad. 61. Cooler in zephyrhills. 60 in bradenton, and i checked with my weather watcher, wendy at brooksville. Shes cooler, too, at 51. Temperatures are running 10 degrees warmer than what we saw on sunday morning. Theres the clouds increasing, and theres the stray showers today, and things really change tomorrow, and heres where i we will see one or two of the showers in the northern areas, and 5 45 tomorrow morning, the rain will make it to i4, to the south at 8 00 or 9 00 in the morning, and then sunny pleasant for tuesday afternoon, right on through sunday. Leslee, how is traffic on the 8s . Folks, two fatal accidents this morning, possibly three it will take 10 minutes to cross the Howard Franklin bridge. Thats if youre on it right now. If you leave the house in 2030 minutes it will be heavier. Its really slowing down. So much of a difference, just the last 10 minutes for when i showed you this picture here. Its very heavy pushing through there. Right lanes are blocked due to the fatal accident. Again f youre leaving the house in 20 or 30 minutes, it will be more, but lets go ahead and take a look. And lets talk about a new crash. Tampa road, injuries there, and also in the bradenton area this is right at 20th street. Malik is just west of 275, and you can see one lane has been reopened here in the area. Things are looking better, but a nasty crash there thats weather and traffic, and now back to gene and gayle. He paid a pretty penny, and now hes getting extra brownie points. The way one high schooler made sure every girl walked out of school with a smile. We have a casanova on our hands. Get a Busch Gardens fun card now and let the fun begin. Pay for a day, dive all year, splash all year, thrill, get your fill, and celebrate all year. Climb, launch, roar, and soar all year. Pay for a day, play all year. And if you get the Busch Gardens fun card now, youll also get an Adventure Island fun card for free. P visit Busch Gardens tampa dottcom for details. Hurry up offer ends february listen to this. 800 girls at u. S. High School Valentines day plowers melt. They have howard goffrey to thank for this. He saved up his money from bagging groceries, and he wanted to make sure every girl felt special. He has a girlfriend, and his wish to make as many people happy as possible came true. Im jealous. Give me those flowers. Weather and traffic is just 3 minutes away. The piece of the master tia renovation project that is soaping up today. Putting a stop to hitand run crashes. We are on top of breaking news this morning. A live report on a deadly hit andrun in just a few minutes. A live picture here from the Howard Franklin bridge this i dont know what im doing. I cant find anything just when i think its just not going to work. This woman that works there comes over and asks can i help you . And he was so happy, to do it amazing right . I never would have expected would have thought that anyone would find that do that. Make that go out of their way for me. Right then, right there i couldnt believe it he was so helpful i know its such a small thing little thing. Simple thing but it made me smile made me happy made my day share your story. Welcome back to news channel 8, and we are following breaking traffic news. It will take over 15 minutes to cross the Howard Franklin bridge, all due to a fatal crash on the northbound side. Lets take a live look. You can see for yourself, youre stacked and packed. If youre leaving the house in more than 10 minute the, take the Courtney Campbell causeway, not northbound, due to the ba da ba ba ba traffic disasters across the bay area, this is a live look at the serious crash near county. Just look at the damage as the vehicle wrapped around the pole there. We pan back, and you can see its still a very active scene right now, and it is really a sight to see that car. A deadly hitandrun on the another live picture for you. We will explain the vehicle troopers are now looking for that hit and killed a tow truck driver and then took off. Good morning, and welcome to news channel 8 today. Im gene ramirez. And im gayle guyardo. First, lets get over to leslee lacey to see how to get around. Reporter the Howard Franklin issues affecting traffic. Normally it only takes 6 minutes. We are at 14. Thats fluctuating from 14 to 18 minutes northbound here. Keep this in mind. If youre leaving the house in 10 to 15 minutes it will probably be worse. Take an alternate instead. The two right lanes closed all due to the fatal hitandrun. They are looking for the black volkswagon. We had a tow truck driver who was killed, trying to help people out there, and now theres a serious backup this is the Howard Franklin bridge also crash here on tampa road in lanes and also one in Manatee County, tieups on 20th street. Lets go to malik on the street. You can see, again this is a possible fatal crash, and look at that truck. Thats a flat bed