Suspect fatally hit by car during domestic-related investigation identified: TPD

TAMPA, Fla. — A man fatally hit by a car during a domestic-related investigation launched by police early Friday morning has been identified.

The Tampa Police Department said officers were called to a report of what appeared to be a domestic-related incident on the 4000 block of West Hillsborough Avenue at around 2:20 am.

According to police, witnesses provided detailed descriptions of the suspect, later identified as 29-year-old Frank E. Rodriguez, and police said a community member who saw the incident as it was happening tried to intervene before officers arrived.

Ronnie Coogle told ABC Action News he was across the street when he heard a lot of screaming.

"This woman was screaming 'help me god, get off me,'" said Coogle.

That's when Coogle said he ran across the street to help.

"I took my cane, turn it this way, and just whacked him as hard as I could in the back through the car window," said Coogle.

Tampa Police body camera video shows an officer approach, question, and give commands, later telling Rodriguez he's not free to go while placing his hand on Rodriguez's chest. TPD said Rodriguez tried to leave, while refusing the officer's commands to stop.

According to TPD, the officer deployed his taser before a car going east on Hillsborough Avenue hit Rodriguez and did not stop. Detectives are currently working to identify the car involved in the hit-and-run, which they described as a blue 4-door sedan, possibly a Nissan Altima.

Rodriguez died at the scene. His next of kin was notified.

Since the officer was attempting to make an arrest when the suspect was hit by a car, TPD said the case is classified as an in-custody death. As a result, officer Luis Garcia, who has been with the department for six months with previous law enforcement experience, has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.

"We will turn that portion of the investigation because there was active arrest being made over the FDLE to assist us with that. We'll consider it an in-custody death," said Ruth Cate with the Tampa Police Department.

Bodycam video released by TPD shows what happened during the incident. We edited the video to stop before Rodriguez was hit by the car.

TPD's Victim's Advocate will work with the woman who was a victim. She suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the incident.

Eastbound traffic along Hillsborough Avenue was closed between Lois Ave and North Dale Mabry Highway during the investigation.