Arrest Made in Pinellas Park Hit-and-Run

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on May 26, 2020

A bicycle accident that took place in Pinellas Park during the beginning of a weekend in May initially resulted in a manhunt for an individual believed to have fled from the scene of a collision resulting in serious injuries. The reports from the Pinellas Park Police Department indicate that the initial accident happened sometime around 9:00 at night on Friday, May 15th, as a 60-year-old man was trying to walk across U.S. 19.

The area where the man was trying to cross is along the road’s 7600 block, close to where U.S. 19 intersects with 78th Avenue. At the time, the man was on a bicycle. It was not immediately clear if the area where they were attempting to cross possess any sort of pedestrian safety features or if this area is not intended to be used by cyclists or pedestrians.

It was after the 60-year-old individual entered the roadway that a 50-year-old driving a car that was not described entered the scene. It is not clear if the driver of the car saw the cyclist, but we do know that the car struck the bike and biker before they were able to exit from the roadway and make it back to the safety of the shoulder or sidewalk.

Witnesses to the crash told authorities that after striking the cyclist, the driver of the car attempted to flee from the scene. In order to prevent this person from escaping, at least one witness followed them from the scene of the crash. While we do not know how far away from the scene this driver progressed after the hit-and-run, we do know that the witness was eventually able to lead police with the Pinellas Park Police Force to the location of the man.

Authorities then arrested their man and charged him with numerous things including leaving the scene of a crash and driving with a suspended license.

Emergency paramedics and EMTs also rushed to the scene and were able to transport the cyclist from the area to a nearby hospital. There, the cyclist was admitted. It is believed that his injuries were serious but that he is currently in stable condition.

Neither the driver of the car nor the two passengers with him suffered from any injuries in the crash.

Sources:

• St. Pete Man Accused Of Hit-And-Run Involving Bicyclist

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.