Broward Sheriff’s Office Says Patricia Merciante Died, Ashley Bowman In Custody…
BROWARD COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2025 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Staten Island woman is dead and her husband remains hospitalized after the two were struck by an allegedly drunk driver Friday night. Patricia and Salvatore Merciante were crossing Atlantic Boulevard in north Broward County when police say Ashley Bowman struck them and kept going. She is now in custody. the Broward Sheriff’s Office provided the following details to BocaNewsNow.com:
>>Broward Sheriff’s Office Traffic Homicide Unit detectives arrested a woman who struck a couple with her vehicle and fled the scene Friday night in Pompano Beach. According to detectives at approximately 9:02 p.m., on Friday, March 7, Broward County Regional Communications received a call reporting a hit-and-run crash near East Atlantic Boulevard and Pompano Beach Boulevard.
BSO district deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue responded. On scene, deputies found Patricia and Salvatore Marciante suffering from injuries consistent with being hit by a vehicle. Paramedics transported both victims to a local hospital for treatment. Sadly, Patricia was pronounced deceased. Salvatore was transported in critical condition.
BSO’s Traffic Homicide Unit detectives responded to the scene and began their investigation. According to detectives, Ashley Nicole Bowman was driving a 2019 Toyota Tacoma traveling northbound on Pompano Beach Boulevard preparing to make a left turn onto East Atlantic Boulevard. Detectives say, at the same time, Patricia and Salvatore Marciante were crossing East Atlantic Boulevard within the designated pedestrian crosswalk. According to investigators, Bowman executed the turn and struck both pedestrians.
Bowman then fled the scene. BSO Pompano Beach deputies canvassed the area looking for Bowman. BSO’s Real Time Crime Center assisted with locating the vehicle, and investigators took Bowman into custody. Bowman faces several charges including driving under the influence causing manslaughter, driving under the influence causing serious injury, failing to stop at the scene of an accident involving death and failing to stop at the scene of an accident-causing serious injury. The investigation is ongoing.<<
Police say Patricia Marciante was 74. Salvatore Marciante Is 76.
