He Was Accused of Killing Pinky. Now He's Dead

The man accused of causing the death of a beloved flamingo at Busch Gardens Tampa was himself killed this month. Joseph Anthony Corrao was struck by a pickup truck while crossing a busy road in Orlando before 6am on June 5 and died at a hospital, reports the Tampa Bay Times, citing Florida Highway Patrol. The 48-year-old was to face felony animal cruelty charges at a trial set for August. He was accused of throwing 19-year-old Pinky to the ground during a visit to Busch Gardens Tampa in 2016.

Witnesses said one of the bird's legs was nearly severed in the incident, after which Pinky was euthanized. Corrao, jailed for five days before he was released on bail, expressed remorse upon learning the flamingo had died, claiming he was trying to show off for his daughter, per the Times, which reports he'd been diagnosed with schizophrenia. Police haven't laid charges in the crash this month, which is still under investigation, per CNN. (Pinky was quite the dancer.)