LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. — A man was arrested this week on charges related to a 2021 crash that resulted in a passenger's death, according to the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office.
Emanuel Carrio, 26, faces charges of driving without a license causing death and leaving the scene of a crash causing death in connection with the April 10, 2021, incident on State Road 80 near C Road.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Carrio was driving westbound on State Road 80 around 2 a.m. when he lost control of the vehicle after reaching for his cell phone. His truck overturned, leading to serious injuries for his passenger, Martin Salvadore Nicolas, 20, who struck his head on the pavement after partially exiting the passenger window. Nicolas was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center, where he died 17 days later.
Witnesses reported that Carrio fled the scene without providing aid and hid in nearby woods. Law enforcement was unable to locate him that night.
The following morning, authorities found Carrio at his residence, which was shared with Nicolas's family. Carrio confessed to driving and fled out of fear of arrest, admitting he had been drinking and did not possess a valid driver's license.
The crash scene was littered with beer cans and bottles, with investigators noting a strong odor of alcohol around the vehicle. Records indicate Carrio had a prior arrest for driving without a license and had an outstanding court warrant at the time of the incident.
Carrio was arrested on April 21, 2026, more than five years after the crash, and is currently held at the Palm Beach County Jail on a $500,000 bond.