Suspect in Fatal Tampa Hit-and-Run Motorcycle Crash Makes First Court Appearance
A 24-year-old man from Plant City is facing charges in a fatal three-vehicle crash and made his first appearance before a judge on Sunday morning, February 20. My Fox Tampa Bay reports that the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) believes the man was driving a 1997 Honda Accord near Plant City on Friday night, February 18, when he turned in front of a motorcycle, causing the biker to be ejected onto the roadway. The motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene on U.S. Highway 92 near Robinson Orange Park. The Accord driver then allegedly left the scene but was later found and arrested. A passenger in his vehicle was not injured and a third vehicle was allegedly involved that did not result in injuries.
Our condolences are extended to the friends and family of the biker, also age 24, who died in this motorcycle crash.
In Florida in 2009, 402 motorcyclists and their passengers were killed in traffic accidents in the state. Unfortunately, the number of hit-and-run incidents is on the increase in Florida.
Leaving the scene of an accident not only leaves an injured person without aid, but automatically turns what might be a misdemeanor charge into a felony punished by up to 30 years in prison. Because this is such a problem in our state, the Florida personal injury lawyers at the Farah & Farah law firm is a member of Hit-and-Run Reward, a national program financed exclusively by American personal injury attorneys who will offer anyone $1,000 to turn in a hit-and-run driver. The number for Hit-and-Run Reward is 1-800-644-8678.
