Man Arrested 1 Year After Causing Osceola County Crash
Back in late 2023, a man was driving a Volkswagen Passat when he hit a 78-year-old man crossing Pleasant Hill Road in Osceola County. The incident happened on the morning of October 22, 2023.
The victim was not in a crosswalk when he was hit by the car. While the roadway was dark, it was lit with streetlights.
The pedestrian, who suffered from dementia, had wandered away from home. He was transported to Osceola Regional Medical Center, where he later died. The driver who hit the man fled the accident scene and left the pedestrian to die. A driver who saw the victim lying in the grass median after the accident stopped and called for help.
Florida Highway Patrol troopers attempted to find the driver. Based on debris at the accident scene, troopers were able to identify the make and model of the vehicle that hit the pedestrian. This information helped analysts compile a list of similar vehicles in the area. On October 25, police arrived at the Kissimmee home of a person who owned a Volkswagen Passat. A 40-year-old man who appeared nervous came to the door. He admitted that he hit something, but thought it was a small animal.
The man led troopers to his Volkswagen Passat, which appeared to be deliberately concealed inside a garage. It was parked in a tight spot with boxes strategically placed around it. The car had damage consistent with evidence at the accident scene. The driver’s side windshield was shattered and there was body tissue present on the car.
The man told troopers he was driving home from work in Lakeland when he saw a “flash” and felt an impact. He looked in his rearview mirror and didn’t see anything. He assumed he hit an animal but did not do anything because he “had to go to work the next morning.”
There was blood found on the car’s windshield. DNA testing later confirmed it matched the blood of the pedestrian. An arrest warrant was issued for the man in December 2024. He was charged with leaving the accident scene and for tampering with evidence as he tried to hide the vehicle involved.
The man has prior charges of driving with a suspended license. However, his license was valid at the time of the crash. He recently appeared in court and his bond was set at $11,500. It is unknown if the man is in jail or if he bonded out.
Contact Us Today
Hit and run cases are complicated. When a vehicle is involved in a crash and the driver flees the scene, the chances of them being caught and arrested are slim.
The Kissimmee auto accident lawyers at Draper Law Office can help you with your crash case. Even when the driver cannot be located, we can help you understand your legal options so you get the compensation you need. To schedule a consultation today, call (407) 743-6628 or fill out the online form.
Source:
aroundosceola.com/news/kissimmee-man-arrested-fatal-2023-pleasant-hill-hit-and-run-crash
