FHP Arrest and Charge Individual Responsible for Hit-and-Run Near Tampa

By Orlando Personal Injury Attorney on March 3, 2019

Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol have issued a statement regarding the charges filed against an individual believed to be responsible for a fatal hit-and-run crash that took place close to Tampa early on the morning of February 22nd. According to these reports, the individual behind the fatal accident was apprehended shortly after the initial collision took place, and that in addition to the hit-and-run charges, the authorities also charged the individual with a DUI and Driving While License Cancelled or Suspended.

It was close to 1:45 in the morning when a 39-year-old Fort Lauderdale resident was driving a 2018 Dodge Ram along the eastern lanes of I-4 through Hillsborough County. While the exact location of the accident was not indicated in the initial reports, it was stated that the area where the car was being driven was east of State Road 574. At the same time, a 23-year-old Brandon resident was riding a 2010 motorcycle down the same lanes. While the reports are not clear on this point, it seems that the motorcyclist was riding in the same lane as the Ram and that they were also traveling at a much higher rate of speed than the driver of the Ram.

For reasons that are not clear, the motorcyclist did not change lanes when they reached the area where the Ram was driving. This resulted in the motorcycle colliding with the rear of the pickup truck and the subsequent loss of control by the motorcyclist over their vehicle. Before the motorcyclist could regain control of the bike, they crashed into the road. As a result of this, the 23-year-old motorcyclist sustained severe injuries.

The driver of the pickup truck did not stop after the collision and instead exited I-4 and began to travel northward on I-75. For reasons that are not clear, after an unknown period of time this driver then turned their car around and began traveling south on I-75. Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol pulled over the Dodge Ram during this time. It is not clear how Troopers were able to connect this vehicle with the collision with the motorcycle, but their charges indicate that they feel confident that they have obtained the correct individual.

Sources:

• DRIVER CHARGED WITH DUI IN I-4 CRASH THAT KILLED MOTORCYCLIST

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.

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