The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for the public’s help in gathering information about two fatal hit-and-run crashes that occurred in Marion County earlier this month.
First accident
The first hit-and-run crash occurred at around 7:30 p.m. on Friday, February 16. According to FHP, a 35-year-old man was riding his bicycle on County Road 314 (Sharpes Fairy Road), east of NE 68th Court. He was traveling within the westbound travel lane ahead of an SUV.
FHP stated that when the SUV approached the intersection, the front section of the vehicle struck the bicyclist. After the collision, the man was thrown from his bicycle and came to a rest within the roadway.
The bicyclist was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. His name was not released by FHP.
The SUV involved in the crash “failed to remain at the scene” and fled from the area. According to FHP, vehicle parts were located at the scene, which helped investigators determine that the vehicle is a 2010-2015 Chevrolet Equinox SUV.
“(The Chevrolet Equinox) will have noticeable front-end damage,” stated FHP.
If you have any information about this case, FHP asks that you contact Corporal Brett Detweiler by calling 352-512-6644 or dialing *FHP (*347) on your cellphone.
Second accident
The second hit-and-run crash occurred at around 8:30 a.m. on Sunday, February 18. According to FHP, a vehicle was traveling on County Road 25A (NW Gainesville Road), around 0.3 miles north of NW 100th Place, in Ocala. At the same time, a 47-year-old man from Ocala was “positioned in the area of the roadside and east shoulder” of County Road 25A.
FHP stated that the man was walking within the roadway when the front right side of the vehicle proceeded to strike him. After the collision, he came to a final rest on his right side with his head facing a southerly direction on the east shoulder of the roadway.
The man sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene.
FHP stated that the driver of the vehicle “failed to stop and left the scene.” Parts from a vehicle were located near the scene of the crash, and the vehicle was identified as a “dark gray 2007-2009 Acura MDX SUV with noticeable damage to the right, front section.”
If you have any information about this case, FHP asks that you contact Corporal Justin Bard by calling 352-512-6643 or dialing *FHP (*347) on your cellphone.