One Killed, One Severely Injured During Deadly Hit-and-Run in Sarasota County

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on November 16, 2021

A 46-year-old man from Nokomis has been arrested by the Florida Highway Patrol and charged with multiple felonious crimes, including driving on a revoked license, leaving the scene of an accident involving a death, and leaving the scene of an accident involving injury for his alleged connection to a fatal hit-and-run accident that killed one motorist and severely injured another last week on Laurel Road in Sarasota County.

According to collision reports from the responding Florida Highway Patrol officers, it was close to 9 p.m. on November 11, 2021, when 46-year-old Nokomis resident Robert Knowlton was driving his pickup truck within the left lane of Laurel Road in the eastbound direction. As he pulled up to the northbound exit ramp of Interstate 75, he ran the red traffic light governing the intersection and in doing so, Knowlton slammed into the side of another pickup truck that was being driven by a 52-year-old man who was also from Nokomis. Immediately after this first T-bone collision, a 63-year-old man from Miami crashed into Nokomis’ truck.

Local Sarasota County emergency medical teams were dispatched to the scene of the multi-vehicle pileup in order to assess the situation and assist any wounded victims. Upon their arrival, they quickly discovered that the 52-year-old Nokomis man had suffered life-threatening injuries during the collision and had already passed away. The 63-year-old Miami man sustained severe injuries in the accident and was transported to a local hospital for further treatment. The details surrounding his current condition have not been released to the public.

After the deadly accident occurred, Robert Knowlton attempted to flee the scene on foot but was apprehended by members of the Florida Highway Patrol Traffic Homicide Unit soon after. In addition to being charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, leaving the scene of an accident involving a death, and driving on a revoked license, he also faces multiple property damage charges. The suspect was taken to the Sarasota County Jail but was bonded out and remains free until his arraignment on December 17, 2021.

Since 1977, Florida personal injury attorney James O. Cunningham has been compassionately representing the families and victims who have been severely injured or killed in hit-and-run car accidents. If you would like to schedule a free 30-minute case evaluation, please submit a contact form on our website, or call our office directly at 877-FL-INJURY to speak with an associate.

James O. Cunningham

Since 1977, personal injury lawyer James Cunningham has provided effective legal advocacy to people who are injured through the negligent actions of another person or entity throughout the Central Florida area. He fights to obtain recoveries for his clients’ physical and emotional pain and suffering and pursues his clients’ personal injury cases with a commitment to excellence and impeccable preparation.