Hit-and-run crash closes John Young; driver arrested

  • The driver of this vehicle was rear-ended by another who tried to flee the scene Tuesday morning on northbound John Young Parkway south of downtown Kissimmee. PHOTO/FHP
    The driver of this vehicle was rear-ended by another who tried to flee the scene Tuesday morning on northbound John Young Parkway south of downtown Kissimmee. PHOTO/FHP

    A three-vehicle crash Tuesday morning caused John Young Parkway northbound into downtown Kissimmee to be closed for hours, as the driver who caused it fled the scene, but was caught by police.

    Florida Highway Patrol reports that, around 5:38 a.m., a 50-year-old Poinciana man, later identified as Armando Juarez, was driving a Hummer H2 near The Oaks Boulevard, and failed to observe stopped traffic ahead. He rear-ended the Toyota RAV-4 driving by a 67-year-old Kissimmee woman; the impact propelled her car into another driver who sustained minor injuries. The woman was seriously injured and transported to HCA Florida Osceola Hospital.

    According to FHP, Juarez made a U-turn and fled the scene southbound on John Young Parkway. An Osceola County Sheriff’s Office Deputy observed him fleeing, followed and conducted a traffic stop. The Hummer also had damage consistent with the collision. FHP proceeded with the hit and run investigation and arrested Juarez for failing to remain at a crash involving serious injury — a felony hit-and-run. He was booked into the Osceola County Jail, and was also provided a citation for careless driving, FHP said.

    FHP reminds drivers that leaving the scene of a crash that results in property damage, injury, or death is against the law. If involved in a crash, stay at the scene, call for help, and follow these steps:

    • Make sure you and any passengers are okay. Remain calm.
    • If possible, move to the side of the road. Remove your keys if you get out of your vehicle, move off the roadway, and stay in a safe area.
    • Check on others involved. Call 911 if anyone might be injured or a vehicle is inoperable.
    • If there are no injuries or major property damage, gather information. Get the name, driver license, insurance and tag information from the other driver(s). Take photos of the vehicles and information if you can’t write it down and then file a report online.
    • Most importantly, always stay at the scene. Leaving the scene of a crash will only make matters worse. Staying at the scene will not only spare a driver significant legal penalties, but it may save a life.