Leesburg Man Arrested for Vehicular Manslaughter in Death of Tavares Woman Friday

TAVARES, Florida—A 75-year-old Tavares woman was killed Friday afternoon in what Tavares Police Department believes was a head-on crash, according to TPD Public Information Officer Courtney Sullivan.

Melissa Ellen Kroeger was in a 2021 white Kia SUV on Dead River Road near Oak Drive shortly before 2 p.m. Friday when she was struck, possibly head-on, by a 2008 gray Nissan Altima being driven by Brenten Kyler Salerno, 26, of Leesburg.

“The accident appears to be a head-on collision,” Sullivan said. “A further investigation conducted by our Traffic Homicide Unit will reveal further facts and details about what occurred.”

Brenten Kyler Salerno PHOTO: Lake County Sheriff’s Office

Salerno fled the scene on foot and was located by TPD officers further down Dead River Road, Sullivan told Inside Lake. He admitted he was driving the Altima and TPD arrested him for vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash with death, driving on a suspended license and failure to register a motor vehicle.

“Upgraded charges are possible, pending blood draw results,” Sullivan said.

Kroeger, who was responsive on the scene, was extracted from her Kia by Tavares Fire Department and transported to a local hospital, where she later died, Sullivan said. A male passenger in Salerno’s Nissan was not injured.

Salerno is being held in the Lake County Jail on no bond.

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