Florida Highway Patrol says a pickup driver, identified as 55-year-old Alberto Irizarry Rivera, allegedly blew kisses at a motorist filming him on southbound I-75 in Riverview, then cut in front of the Hyundai, braked suddenly and drove off. The Elantra driver’s recording captured the incident and may rebut the usual presumption that a trailing vehicle is at fault. Troopers arrested Irizarry Rivera at his home the same evening; he faces misdemeanor charges for reckless driving causing property damage and leaving the scene.
Driver Who Blew Kisses, Brake-Checked Motorist on I-75 Arrested After Hit-and-Run
A Chevrolet Silverado 1500, shown for illustration only. It is not the truck involved. Photo: Rutger van der Maar / Wikimedia Commons,CC BY 2.0
Florida Highway Patrol troopers say a pickup driver on southbound I-75 in Riverview reacted to being filmed by a nearby motorist by blowing kisses — then allegedly escalated the encounter into a crash and fled the scene.
The incident occurred just after 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 24, near mile marker 254. FHP identified the pickup driver as 55-year-old Alberto Irizarry Rivera. The other motorist, a 23-year-old Apollo Beach resident, was driving a Hyundai Elantra and recorded the encounter from his vehicle.
What happened
According to FHP and the released dash-cam footage, the pickup was driving erratically in afternoon traffic before pulling directly in front of the Elantra, braking suddenly and causing the Hyundai to strike the truck from behind. The pickup then continued driving without stopping to exchange information.
Video released by FHP shows the pickup driver turning toward the sedan and making taunting gestures, including blowing kisses, shortly before pulling in front of the Hyundai.
Legal context and arrest
Troopers located and arrested Irizarry Rivera at his home later that evening. He was booked into the Hillsborough County jail on charges of reckless driving causing property damage and leaving the scene of a crash with property damage.
Under Florida law, Section 316.192 classifies reckless driving that causes property damage as a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Leaving the scene of a crash involving only property damage is a second-degree misdemeanor under state law, carrying up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Those are allegations; Irizarry Rivera has not been convicted. FHP's reports did not mention any injuries.
Why the video matters
In rear-end collisions, courts often presume the trailing driver is at fault. But the Florida Supreme Court ruled in Birge v. Charron (2012) that the presumption can be rebutted if the lead vehicle stopped suddenly and without justification. The Elantra driver's recording documents the pickup's conduct before the crash and may be important evidence for prosecutors, insurers and any civil claims.
Broader context
Road-rage incidents can escalate quickly and have led to far more dangerous outcomes elsewhere on U.S. highways. In this case a provocative gesture — allegedly blowing kisses — ended with a collision and an arrest. Troopers emphasize that drivers involved in a crash must stop and exchange information as required by law.
If another driver taunts you on the road, authorities and safety experts recommend avoiding confrontation, keeping distance, driving to a safe public place, and contacting law enforcement rather than engaging.
FHP released the video of the incident and provided details to local media; the encounter was reported by Tampa station WFLA. The original post first appeared on The Auto Wire.
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