<\/p>\n
WILKES-BARRE \u2014 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Cruz was outside his disabled vehicle when he as struck.<\/p>\n
Bello and another tractor-trailer driver pulled to the side of the interstate, court records say.<\/p>\n
After exiting his tractor, court records say, Bello looked at Cruz on the ground, inspected his tractor before fleeing the scene.<\/p>\n
Dash cam video of the incident was obtained by state police.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Cruz\u2019s daughter spoke prior to Bello being sentenced, telling Vough that her father was killed a day after her birthday.<\/p>\n
First Assistant District Attorney Anthony Ross said Bello had a legal responsibility to remain at the scene but he decided to flee.<\/p>\n
Bello was given credit for 100 days time served in prison. <\/p>\n
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