WILKES-BARRE — A tractor-trailer driver who left the scene after fatally striking a pedestrian on Interstate-80 in March 2025, was sentenced up to six years in state prison on Thursday.
Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael T. Vough sentenced Aziz Tajudeen Bello, 51, of Allentown, to three to six years in prison on a single count of accidents involving death. Bello pled guilty to the charge Feb. 2.
Bello was operating a tractor-trailer traveling east on I-80 in Butler Township when he struck Israel Cruz, 53, of Hartford, Conn., near mile marker 257.1 at about 2:30 p.m. on March 21, 2025, according to court records filed by the Pennsylvania State Police at Hazleton.
Cruz was outside his disabled vehicle when he as struck.
Bello and another tractor-trailer driver pulled to the side of the interstate, court records say.
After exiting his tractor, court records say, Bello looked at Cruz on the ground, inspected his tractor before fleeing the scene.
Dash cam video of the incident was obtained by state police.
Investigators retrieved an identification number of the fleeing truck from the dash cam video, that led to Bello being found in a parking lot of a business in Lower Nazareth Township, Northampton County, where he was arrested.
Cruz’s daughter spoke prior to Bello being sentenced, telling Vough that her father was killed a day after her birthday.
First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross said Bello had a legal responsibility to remain at the scene but he decided to flee.
Bello was given credit for 100 days time served in prison.