Man Arrested In Death Of Taylor Hicks

LABELLE, FL. -- After conducting an exhaustive criminal investigation concerning a May 27, 2018 fatal traffic crash on State Road 80 and Joel Boulevard in Lee County, Florida Highway Patrol Troopers, with assistance from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, arrested Hermelo Maya Arias age 40 of Alva, Florida, for no driver’s license, the crash causing the death of Taylor Hicks, 21 of LaBelle. 

Mr. Arias will additionally be charged for exceeding the posted speed limit involving a crash with death, which carries a mandatory court date.

In the crash, Mr. Arias was driving a 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe eastbound on State Road 80 at 70 mph in a posted 45 mph zone, approaching the solid green traffic signal at Joel Boulevard. Ms. Taylor Hicks, 

21-year-old from Labelle, Florida, was driving a 2016 Ford Fiesta westbound on State Road 80, attempting to turn left onto southbound Joel Boulevard while facing a green solid traffic signal. In doing so, Ms. Hick’s Ford Fiesta turned left in front of the approaching Chevrolet. 

The front of the Chevrolet struck the right side of the Ford, forcing both vehicles to final rest within the southeast side grass shoulder. 

Ms. Hick died as a result of injuries sustained. 

Mr. Arias, and his right front passenger Jair Cuevas Salina, age 23 of Alva, Florida sustained minor injuries and were transported to Lee Memorial Hospital.