Vacation Turned Nightmare: Couple Mowed Down in Pompano Beach Hit-and-Run

A simple evening stroll turned into a nightmare for Patricia and Salvatore Marciante, a couple visiting Florida from New York. They were doing what so many people do—walking together, enjoying the warm air—when a driver sped through an intersection and hit them.

Patricia, 74, didn’t survive. Salvatore is still in the hospital, fighting for his life. The driver? She didn’t even stop. But police found her, and now she’s facing serious charges, including DUI manslaughter.

A Vacation Cut Short by Tragedy

The Marciantes were crossing East Atlantic Boulevard at Pompano Beach Boulevard, likely chatting and soaking in the Florida evening. But at 9:02 p.m., a 2019 Toyota Tacoma made a left turn and plowed into them.

Witnesses say the impact was horrifying. Instead of pulling over to help, the driver, 37-year-old Ashley Nicole Bowman, kept going, leaving the couple in the middle of the street.

People ran to help. Someone called 911. Strangers did what they could, but Patricia’s injuries were too severe. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors couldn’t save her.

Salvatore is still there, his future uncertain.

A Devastated Family Demands Justice

Losing someone you love is always painful, but losing them like this—so suddenly, so violently—makes it unbearable.

“You’ve destroyed a family,” said Antonio Marciante, Salvatore’s brother. “You really have.”

The worst part? This didn’t have to happen.

Bowman has a history of DUI offenses. She shouldn’t have been driving. She didn’t even have a valid license. And yet, she was behind the wheel that night, making a decision that would destroy lives.

Caught and Charged

It didn’t take long for authorities to find Bowman. Broward Sheriff’s Office investigators used traffic cameras and other tools to track her down.

When they arrested her, they charged her with:

• DUI manslaughter

• DUI causing serious bodily injury

• Fleeing the scene of an accident involving death

• Fleeing the scene of an accident causing serious injury

She stood before a judge on March 9, and the court denied her bail. She’s now sitting in a Broward County jail, waiting for her next hearing. If convicted, she could spend decades behind bars.

But no amount of prison time will bring Patricia back.

A Community in Shock

Pompano Beach residents are heartbroken and angry. Many say they’ve worried about reckless driving in the area for years.

“I cross that street all the time, and it’s terrifying how fast people drive,” one local resident shared. “It could have been anyone.”

Others are calling for stricter enforcement of DUI laws, saying that someone like Bowman—who had already been in trouble for drinking and driving—should never have been allowed back on the road.

Patricia’s Legacy: More Than a Victim

Patricia Marciante wasn’t just a statistic. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She and Salvatore had built a beautiful life together, filled with family, laughter, and love.

Their Florida trip was supposed to be a relaxing getaway. They had no idea it would end in tragedy.

Her family is now left with memories, photos, and the overwhelming grief of knowing she’s gone.

A Preventable Tragedy

The sad reality is that stories like this happen too often. Drunk driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal accidents in the U.S., despite decades of awareness campaigns.

Authorities are urging people to make better choices—call a ride, use a designated driver, just don’t get behind the wheel impaired.

“One bad decision can change everything,” said a Broward Sheriff’s Office spokesperson. “And when you drive drunk, you’re making a choice that could take a life.”

Moving Forward

For the Marciante family, the pain is just beginning. Salvatore is still in the hospital, trying to heal from injuries that may affect him forever.

Friends and loved ones are planning vigils to honor Patricia, hoping that sharing her story will prevent another tragedy.

“We just want justice,” Antonio Marciante said. “And we want people to realize how much damage one person’s actions can cause.”

As the case moves forward, the Marciantes wait. They wait for answers. They wait for justice. And they wait for the day when their hearts won’t feel so heavy with grief.