Car Behind Deadly Lake County Hit-and-Run Located

The investigation by the Florida Highway Patrol into a deadly hit-and-run accident that happened on the border of Orange and Lake counties this past Friday, May 17th, has taken a possible step forward after members of the Florida Highway Patrol located and towed a car featuring damage that matches that which would occur if a vehicle had collided with a pedestrian, which is exactly what happened on Friday on Old Highway 441.

According to the reports that we currently have, it was close to 5:15 in the morning when a 21-year-old Mount Dora resident was walking along Old Highway 441, close to County Road 500-A, when a car approached them on the roadway. It is unknown whether or not the driver of the vehicle saw the pedestrian as they walked. It is also unknown if the driver might have been under the influence of alcohol or if they were speeding.

What we do know is that the driver did not avoid the pedestrian, and the force with which the car struck the young person caused the 21-year-old to suffer from fatal injuries. It is not clear who called the paramedics to the scene, but when they arrived there was nothing more they could do and the man, a former basketball player of considerable skill at the Mount Dora High School, was declared dead.

Because the driver responsible for the fatal collision had fled the scene immediately after striking the pedestrian, authorities had little to go on when it came to continuing with the investigation. This situation was aided by an unknown person or persons who contacted the family of the deceased in order to provide them with information regarding the crash. The family of the deceased then reached out to the authorities, and this led members of the Florida Highway Patrol to locate the vehicle which they believe might very well have been the one responsible for the incident.

While the car is still being investigated, the family of the deceased has offered a $10,000 reward for anyone who will come forward with information regarding the death of their child.

Sources:

• Suspected hit-and-run vehicle towed by Florida Highway Patrol

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.