TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A family stood before the Tampa City Council on Thursday morning to plead that the investigation into their son’s untimely death be reopened.
Ismael Coss Jr. was hit and struck by a dump truck while on the job, back in March.
Months later, the Coss family told 8 On Your Side that they are still fighting for justice, and this entire time, they have gone without answers.
“My son’s death cannot be dismissed as a simple mistake,” said Diana Coss.
Diana Coss spoke out as a grieving mother to the Tampa City Council. Her son was working for the moving company, College Hunks Hauling Junk and Moving, when he died.
Part of his job duties were to place snipe signs along roadways for advertising.
“We feel that he shouldn’t have been going out of his vehicle, getting out of a safe environment, to go out and put a snipe sign out that was illegal,” said Ismael Coss Sr.
Per local ordinance, you are not allowed to place a sign up without a permit.
College Hunks had been cited four times previously for this practice.
On March 17, 2025, Coss Jr. was hit by a dump truck when trying to place one of these signs along North 50th Street in Tampa, and it ended up costing him his life.
In April, his family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against College Hunks, the driver, and the dump truck company.
“We believe that putting out something illegal should be more than just a fine; if you’re putting out something illegal, large companies, like College Hunks, has the money to pay for those fines. They need to have a better system,” Coss’s father said.
On Thursday, College Hunks sent 8 On Your Side the following statement:
“Our team’s safety and well-being are always our highest priority. This tragedy resulted from the actions of a reckless third-party commercial truck driver. While this matter remains part of ongoing litigation and we cannot provide further comment, we continue to grieve his loss and extend our deepest condolences to the Coss family.”
-Kelsie Ackman, Chief Legal & Development Officer, College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving.
The driver of the truck, Thomas Brian Nieves Bachert, was given a traffic citation.
The Coss family is now asking that the Tampa Police Department reopen that investigation.
“We would like them to hold the driver accountable. I want them to do a full investigation,” Coss’s mother, Diana, said.
8 On Your Side reached out to Tampa Police for a comment, who responded:
“Our thoughts are with the Coss family as they grieve such an unimaginable loss. After a thorough investigation, the evidence supported a citation for careless driving resulting in death. At this time, the investigation is considered concluded based on that determination.”
Ismael Coss Jr. was a month away from turning 21 and starting his new career as he joined the Navy.
His fiancée said she loves him very deeply and would have loved to have seen how their future would have unfolded.
“Now, I’m left here grieving my fiancé,” said Marisol Ortiz.
8 On Your Side asked College Hunks twice if they are still using this practice to put up their signs, and they did not provide an answer.
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