ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A high-speed chase initiated under a tragic misapprehension culminated in a fatal crash on a St. Petersburg street late Sunday, casting a shadow over two families and sparking conversations about the impacts of reckless decisions fueled by rage and alcohol.
The incident began when Kyle Hill, 33, wrongly identified a Honda he believed carried his ex-girlfriend. Driven by anger from a recent dispute, Hill pursued the vehicle at dangerous speeds through the city. The car, however, was actually being driven by Norbelis Figueredo-Campos, 35, with Arislenni Blanco-Medina, 28, as a passenger. Both recently from Cuba, they were merely en route to a local Walmart.
During the relentless chase, Hill aggressively harassed the car and made a threatening phone call to his ex-girlfriend, stating he intended to end the lives of everyone involved, including his own. This threat was misdirected at Figueredo-Campos and Blanco-Medina, who were unconnected to the ongoing conflict.
The pursuit ended when Hill’s actions forced the Honda off the road on 17th Avenue North. The vehicle crashed into a concrete pole, which then fell and crushed it. Blanco-Medina was killed in the incident, while Figueredo-Campos sustained severe injuries including a broken femur and two broken ankles.
Hill lost control of his car shortly after, colliding with a tree. Investigations revealed that he was driving at nearly twice the speed limit and had a blood alcohol content of 0.185, more than double the legal limit. He was initially charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide but now faces first-degree murder and attempted murder charges.
According to Police Chief Anthony Holloway, Hill effectively utilized his vehicle as a lethal weapon in the course of the chase.
This heart-wrenching event underscores a dream tragically cut short. Figueredo-Campos, who immigrated to the U.S. about 18 months prior, had only recently been joined by Blanco-Medina, his girlfriend. The couple had embarked on a new life full of promise and hope in America. Tragically, Blanco-Medina was speaking with her father and young daughter over a call when the fatal crash occurred, their conversation abruptly ending in fear and confusion.
Family members and friends portrayed Figueredo-Campos and Blanco-Medina as a vibrant and loving pair whose lives were filled with music, laughter, and dreams. “They brought light into our lives,” said Nicole Galvan, a cousin of Figueredo-Campos. “They were always surrounded by music and laughter, and they never got involved in conflicts. They always left everyone around them smiling.”
As the community reels from this tragedy, the sad story serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of a moment’s rage and the fragility of life. For the families of those involved, including Hill’s, the consequences of that fateful night have irrevocably changed many lives and extinguished the bright futures of two hopeful newcomers to America.