‘I held his hand, gave him his last words’: Brother pleads for answers after 20-year-old killed in hit-and-run

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (WFLA) — A Tampa Bay-area family is begging for answers after a 20-year-old was hit while riding his bicycle about two weeks ago in Pinellas County.

Jose Rodriguez said his brother Noah Sobczak had a big heart and loved to make music.

He said they spent the day together on July 14, eating plenty of beef jerky and candy.

“Said I love you, he made a right, [and] I went over the gulf toward Tampa,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez had no idea at the time, that was the last time he would ever speak to his little brother.

Florida Highway Patrol said Sobczak was riding his bicycle on 62nd Ave in Pinellas Park when he was struck by a dark colored Toyota sedan.

Troopers said the unidentified driver drove away, leaving this Toyota emblem behind.

Sobczak was rushed to a nearby hospital.

“Brain hemorrhaging wouldn’t stop, heart rate wouldn’t go back to normal, [and] breathing wouldn’t go back to normal,” Rodriguez said.

After a few more days, Rodriguez said his little brother was brain dead.

Four days ago, his breathing tube was removed.

“I held his hand, gave him his last words and everything,” Rodriguez said. “Told him I love him and… it’s totally OK to leave this place.”

“He left this world and passed away,” he said.

Twelve days after the crash, troopers said no one is behind bars.

Rodriguez is left staying up at night with questions.

“I just sit there and think in my head, what exactly happened, what was the angle of the car, was my little brother alright, did he hit the car, how long was he laying there before anybody showed up?” he said.

Now, Sobczak’s family wants answers.

“I want the driver, I want who is responsible for hitting my brother,” Rodriguez said. “That’s it.”

“I want clearance or comfort, just something so you know I can go to bed with knowing that person is in jail,” he said.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to call Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP or crime stoppers at **TIPS.

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