Local teenager Jordan Valdez from Davis lslands has turned herself in to Tampa law enforcement officials in connection with the hit and run death of Melissa Sjostrom. Systrom was a 33-year-old homeless woman who lives in the Tampa area, according to Tampa criminal attorney John Musca. Valdez had previously confessed to the State Attorney's Office that she was behind the wheel of her vehicle when the crash with Sjostrom occurred. Her attorney has also stated that he anticipates Valdez's case will be resolved without a trial. Valdez was released on her own recognizance less than 20 minutes after she was booked by the police, in part because she is a juvenile without a criminal record. A spokesman for the Tampa police department stated that the office is not seeking to place 17-year-old Valdez behind bars, but wants to teach her a lesson about the consequences of her actions.
Valdez was only 16 years of age when she struck Sjostrom while the victim was walking across the street on February 8, 2009. Sjostrom died shortly after the crash. Valdez has sought to have her case handled and tried in juvenile court, partially due to the fact that Valdez does not have a criminal record outside of this case and has been a successful student at her high school. She is working with the State Attorney's Office to come up with a plea agreement. Valdez has reportedly already proposed a plea agreement for this unfortunate case. The decision of the Tampa police department to charge Valdez in connection with Sjostrom's death has aroused controversy in the Tampa Bay area. Originally, Valdez, who is from the upscale area of Davis Islands, was only charged with careless driving. Now, prosecutors seek to try Valdez as an adult based upon the particular nature of the crime.
