A bicyclist is dead after a hit-and-run on U.S.-41 at Collingswood Boulevard in Charlotte County Monday morning.
The Florida Highway Patrol responded to the scene around 5:45 a.m. where they said they found the victim, who was pronounced dead on the scene.
After investigations, and with the help of the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, troopers said they found the hit-and-run vehicle and driver at a home on Birchcrest Boulevard in Port Charlotte.
The vehicle, a Ford Ranger, was reportedly impounded and the driver, identified as D A S, 59, was arrested for allegedly leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
Under Florida law, a driver must stop immediately at the scene of a crash on public or private property, which results in property damage, injury or death.
FHP said if a driver leaves the scene, the situation becomes much worse.
If the crash involves property damage, leaving the scene is classified as a second-degree misdemeanor with penalties of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.
Leaving the scene of a crash with injuries is a second- or third-degree felony, and a driver, when convicted, will have their driver’s license revoked for at least three years and can be sentenced up to five years in prison and incur a $5,000 fine.
Drivers leaving the scene of a crash with a fatality could be sentenced up to 30 years in prison and incur a $10,000 fine.
The identity of the victim has not been shared at this time.
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Source: nbc-2
