The Florida Highway Patrol is asking the public for information to help find the driver of a van who struck and killed a 76-year-old Ocala man while he was pushing a shopping cart filled with groceries across State Road 200.
The fatal accident took place at the intersection of SR 200 and SW 60th Street in Ocala on Tuesday, September 23, at around 7:57 p.m.
According to the FHP report, the pedestrian was pushing a cart of groceries at the across the westbound lanes of SR 200 at the intersection in question, in a “dark area with no lighting.”
At the same time, a van that was traveling westbound on SR 200, in the right lane, passed through the intersection and struck the man with its front section.
The driver fled the scene and continued traveling west on SR 200. The pedestrian was pronounced deceased at the scene. At the time of the accident, the westbound lanes of SR 200 were closed for the investigation.
According to FHP, the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run should be a full-sized van that is dark in color. The report indicates that the vehicle might have a topper and could have sustained front end damage to its grille area.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver and/or vehicle involved is asked to contact Florida Highway Patrol Corporal John Gurrieri at 352-512-6641.