The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office reported that on Monday night at 8:50 p. m., Eric Lewis, 43, was hit by an unknown vehicle as he walked in the roadway on 79th Street near Fir Drive. Deputies said the impact was low speed, with the suspect vehicle causing fatal upper body trauma to Lewis.

Deputies said due to the low speed of the impact, it is doubtful there was major damage to the suspect vehicle. Tire evidence at the scene indicated it may have been a vehicle with dual rear wheels.

Early Tuesday morning, Steven Rickert contacted the Sheriff’s Office and said after watching media reports of the incident, he believed he may have been responsible for the fatal pedestrian incident.

Rickert told deputies he is employed as a bus driver for HART, and was driving a mini-bus during the time the accident occurred.

Detectives have met with Rickert and examined the bus. During the examination, detectives identified physical evidence that has linked the bus to Lewis.

During the interview with Rickert, deputies said he told them he was driving west on Fir Drive and turned onto 79th Street. He said he was not aware he had struck someone until he saw the news reports Tuesday morning.

Detectives will continue conducting interviews and analyzing forensic evidence. Once the investigation is complete, all information will be turned over to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office for further review.

The accident victim, Lewis was born in New York City, and came to Tampa in 1983, and graduated from Brandon High School in 1986. He also attended Florida A&M University from 1986 until 1988 studying political science.

Eric’s mother, Ms. Mildred Lewis, said her son was diagnosed with a bi-polar disorder in 1994, and wasn’t employed. “He loved to write and talked about doing that for a living. He also enjoyed reading.

“Eric and I did a lot of traveling together, and we spent 12 days in Europe in October 2011. He was so thrilled, especially when we went to Paris. He was really in awe of the Eifel Tower.”

Ms. Lewis said Eric knew everyone in the Progress Village area, and although she doesn’t have all the details, she believes he was on his way home when the accident occurred.

“Someone in the area said they saw him getting off the bus, so he had probably gone to the store.

Eric Lewis has no children, and only one sibling, Gwendolyn, who lives in Atlanta. His father, Eugene Lewis, lives in New Jersey.

Eric is also the nephew of WTMP 1150AM legend, Tom Hankerson.

Ms. Lewis said she and her son were members of Revealing Truth Ministries.

Aiken’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.