Orange County Bicyclist Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on August 25, 2015

Riding a bicycle can be dangerous in Florida. The state is the deadliest in the nation per capita. Florida has 5.7 bicycle deaths per million people, and averages 110 bicycle deaths a year. That is significantly higher than Louisiana, the second highest state, which averages 17 deaths per year.

On August 8, 17-year-old Rakib Chowdhury was riding his bike westbound on Trevarthon Road in Orange County. During his ride home, Chowdhury noticed his front tire had a flat. He stopped the bike and called his father. His father told his son that he was not that far from their home and suggested that the teenager walk the bike the rest of the way. His father was at home, and the two of them could fix the tire together.

Shortly after he began walking the bike, 22-year-old Frankie Alberto Arroyo, of Orlando, was driving a Dodge Dart along Trevarthon Road, at what many reported as a high rate of speed, according to authorities. Arroyo hit Chowdhury as he was walking his bike home. The crash tossed Chowdhury into the middle of the road. Arroyo briefly stopped the Dodge Dart but then sped away.

Chowdhury’s father heard the accident and ran out of the house. When law enforcement officials arrived at the scene, the father was doing everything he could to revive the boy. It was no use. Chowdhury was pronounced dead at the scene.

Two people witnessed the accident, and one man identified the vehicle as a Dodge Dart. Also, a side view mirror was detached from the vehicle during the accident and law enforcement personnel used the serial number on the mirror to identify the vehicle as a Dodge Dart.

A few days later, a damaged Dodge Dart was located at the Orlando International Airport in the parking garage. Law enforcement officials recovered video surveillance equipment and saw who parked the vehicle. Based on that information, an arrested warrant was issued for Arroyo for leaving the scene of a crash involving death as well as other charges.

Arroyo’s mother learned about the charges and brought her son to the police station. He was booked into the Orange County Jail and posted bond. No information was available on an initial hearing in the case.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a Florida cycling accident, contact the Law Offices of James O. Cunningham, P.A. immediately at 877-FL-INJURY (877-354-6587) for a free initial consultation.

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.