Hit and Run

March 26, 2025

News: Driver sought in Marion County hit-and-run that injured pedestrian

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

MARION COUNTY, FL – A search is underway for the driver who struck and injured a pedestrian in Marion County on Monday, March 17.

According to the Ocala Star-Banner, the victim was walking on the shoulder of County Road 42 near Southeast 203rd Avenue in Umatilla when the incident happened at about 2:30 a.m.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the pedestrian was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle that veered off the road near Southeast 203rd Avenue. The victim, a 27-year-old Ocala man, suffered injuries that were serious but not life-threatening.

February 25, 2025

Do Not Leave the Scene of a Car Crash – Here’s Why

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

Hit-and-run car accidents are a big problem in the state of Florida, with nearly 25% of all crashes involving a hit-and-run driver. Most of these accidents result in property damage, but the reality is that a good amount of hit-and-run accidents can result in serious injuries or even death.

According to the FLHSMV, there were 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in Florida in 2023, which is a decrease of less than 1% from 2022. Of these hit-and-run collisions in 2023, 271 lives were lost and another 871 suffered serious bodily injuries. Out of the 271 people who were killed in hit-and-run accidents in 2023, 159 were pedestrians and 47 were bicyclists.

What Are the Laws in Florida Regarding Hit-and-Run Accidents?

January 20, 2025

News: Suspect in custody in connection with Lake County hit-and-run

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAKE COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol has made an arrest in the case of a collision that killed a motorist in Lake County on Jan. 13, according to the Leesburg News.

The crash happened on US-27 at Margaux Drive shortly before 7 p.m. According to the FHP, the vehicle of a 37-year-old Auburndale man had broken down and he was standing behind it, directing traffic to the next lane. A tow truck driver stopped partially in the outside lane and on the shoulder of the road to assist the man.

State troopers said that at that point, the driver of a Kia Soul was heading south on US-27 in the outside lane and failed to move over. The Kia then struck the 37-year-old pedestrian, causing him to hit the driver’s side mirror of the tow truck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

January 16, 2025

Driver of disabled vehicle struck and killed in hit-and-run on U.S. 27

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAKE COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a deadly hit-and-run incident that occurred Monday evening in Lake County.

A report by WKMG states that a 37-year-old Auburndale man was killed in the crash on US-27 at Margaux Drive shortly before 7 p.m. According to the FHP, the man’s vehicle had broken down and he was standing behind it, directing traffic to the next lane. A tow truck driver stopped partially in the outside lane and on the shoulder of the road to assist the man.

State troopers said that at that point, the driver of a Kia Soul was heading south on US-27 in the outside lane and failed to move over. The Kia then struck the 37-year-old pedestrian, causing him to hit the driver’s side mirror of the tow truck. The man was pronounced dead at the scene.

December 4, 2024

News: Suspect arrested in Belleview hit-and-run that killed pedestrian

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BELLEVIEW, FL – A suspect is under arrest in connection with a fatal hit-and-run incident that occurred in Belleview on Sunday afternoon, the Ocala StarBanner reports.

The Belleview Police Department said that Christian Patrick Parker was charged with vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident involving death.

Police said Parker was driving a 1998 Lincoln Town Car when he struck and killed 34-year-old Ariel Hartford on U.S. 441 south. An investigation determined that Parker allegedly went through a stop light and struck Hartford as she was attempting to cross the street at about 2:47 p.m. The driver kept going after the collision without stopping, according to police.

November 22, 2024

News: Driver flees after SUV crashes into Land O’Lakes home, leaving 1 man dead

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

LAND O’LAKES, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred Tuesday morning in Land O’Lakes, according to Pasco News Online.

State troopers said the driver of a Chevy Tahoe veered off the road while heading south on US-41 near Bell Lake Road at about 12:30 a.m. The SUV went across a sidewalk and collided with a Honda Fit that was parked in a driveway. The impact caused the Honda to go through an interior wall and hit a 37-year-old Tampa man, who was airlifted to an area hospital with serious injuries. He was pronounced dead the following day.

The FHP is now searching for the driver of the Tahoe, described as a woman in her mid 30s. She fled the scene on foot after the crash.

November 11, 2024

News: 12-year-old injured in hit-and-run incident in Marion County

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

BELLEVIEW, FL – A 12-year-old was injured after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in Marion County on Wednesday afternoon, WCJB reports.

The incident took place on Southeast 36th Avenue near 107th Place in Belleview. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the girl was walking on the shoulder of the roadway at about 4 p.m. when she was hit by a vehicle. Witnesses said the vehicle was a white 4-door pickup truck that was towing a utility trailer.

The youngster suffered injuries that were serious but not life-threatening. The FHP said the driver involved left the scene of the crash and is now being sought.

May 20, 2024

News: Port Richey man arrested in hit-and-run that injured 80-year-old scooter rider

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

PORT RICHEY, FL – A Port Richey man was arrested after police said he left the scene of a crash on Monday, according to Pasco News Online.

37-year-old Kris Paterson is charged in the incident that occurred at the intersection of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard and Hampton Road in Clearwater. Police said Paterson was driving a 2021 Dodge Ram pickup truck when he made a right turn from a business parking lot and struck a man riding a mobility scooter.

The victim, 80-year-old Ernest Coluzzi, was taken to St. Joseph’s Hospital in critical condition. Investigators said Paterson did not stop to help the victim but fled the scene at a high rate of speed. He stopped on Bayview Avenue to remove the scooter that became stuck under the pickup, police said.

February 20, 2024

News: Lake Mary man struck, killed by hit-and-run driver on US-301

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SUMTER COUNTY, FL – The Florida Highway Patrol is conducting a search for the driver responsible for the death of a pedestrian Saturday morning in Sumter County.

According to WKMG, the victim was struck by a vehicle while walking in the southbound inside lane of U.S. 301 near County Road 102. The pedestrian, a 63-year-old man from Lake Mary, was found dead by responding state troopers at about 8 a.m.

The driver involved fled the scene of the crash but parts of the vehicle were left behind. Based on the evidence that was found, the FHP described the vehicle they are looking for as a 1992-97 Ford Bronco or F-Series Ford pickup truck of unknown color that was traveling south on U.S. 301 and would be missing its left front headlight housing.

February 16, 2024

News: 2 Spring Hill crossing guards struck by hit-and-run driver

by Whittel & Melton, LLC

SPRING HILL, FL – A driver suspected of hitting two Spring Hill crossing guards in a hit-and-run incident this week was taken into custody, according to a WFLA report.

The crossing guards were struck by a vehicle at Deltona Boulevard and Northcliffe Boulevard on Wednesday afternoon at about 4 p.m. The Florida Highway Patrol’s investigation found that the driver of a Ford Focus was struck by another vehicle and came to a stop. The driver of the Ford then continued going in the wrong direction toward the intersection and hit one of the crossing guards, an 82-year-old man, then struck the other guard, a 52-year-old man. The victims were seriously injured and rushed to an area hospital.

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office said the Focus was later located on Deltona Boulevard. The alleged driver, 54-year-old Robert Noack, had walked away from the vehicle but was apprehended and arrested, authorities said.