Florida Man Receives Life Sentence for Driving Semi-Truck into Tampa Nightclub

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In Tampa, Florida, a judge in Hillsborough County handed down a life sentence to Dylan Fogel after a jury convicted him of murder. Fogel was found guilty of causing the death of Giovanni Soto by crashing a semi-truck into a Tampa strip club in August 2024.

After deliberating for approximately three hours on Wednesday, the jury returned with their verdict. Following their decision, Judge Lyann Goudie addressed Fogel with stern candor.

“Given the circumstances of this case, even if I wished to, I am bound by law and cannot impose a sentence less than life imprisonment for the charge in count one,” stated Judge Goudie.

In the courtroom, Soto’s family expressed their grief through tears as they held hands for support. They then took the stand to deliver emotional victim impact statements.

“What makes this even harder is knowing that Mr. Fogel took his life by an act of anger and violence that should have never happened,” said Jazlyne Mercado Soto, Giovanni’s daughter.

During closing arguments, premeditation and motive were brought to the forefront. The state recalled a text message Fogel sent the night of the crash saying, “Goodbye, I’m going to prison for vehicular manslaughter.”

“The truck did exactly what he wanted it to do. And what he wanted it to do was to harm people,” said Hillsborough County Assistant State Attorney Christina Berkowitz.

The defense argued there was no evidence showing Fogel was trying to kill anyone and reminded jurors he was intoxicated.

“Does he mean what he’s saying? Is he making any sense at all? Or are we trying to make sense of a drunk senseless man,” said Maria Dunker, the public defender.

Verdict aside, Soto’s loved ones said their family will never be the same.

“Your actions, Mr. Fogle, have caused an incredible hurt on our family and all of our lives. The ripple effect on your range of violence will haunt us forever,” said Jennifer Mercado, Soto’s daughters’ mother.

The judge set a sentencing hearing for the remaining counts on December 29.