FHP searching for driver that killed Kissimmee man Feb. 11
-
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver that hit and killed a pedestrian in Kissimmee on Feb. 11.
As authorities are searching for an unknown driver that fled after he hit and killed a Kissimmee man, state officials have released a report showing that hit-and-run incidents increased in 2020.
Last year, hit-and-run crash fatalities increased by over 18 percent even as total hit-and-run crashes in Florida decreased by 13 percent compared to 2019, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV).
In an effort to reduce the number of hit-and-run crashes and fatalities and to help solve open cases, the FLHSMV is leading the Stay at the Scene campaign this February, during Hit-and-Run Awareness Month.
“When you flee the scene of a crash, you’re not only breaking the law, you could be leaving someone who needs immediate medical attention,” said FLHSMV Executive Director Terry L. Rhodes. “While being involved in a crash can be scary, choosing to flee from the scene can have life-altering consequences. Remember: If you are involved in a crash, stay at the scene.”
The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver that hit and killed a pedestrian in Kissimmee on Feb. 11.
At about 8:55 p.m., the 48-year-old victim from Kissimmee was trying to cross U.S. Highway 192, when a vehicle that was described as a white sedan, according to a patrol report, hit him. The driver then fled the scene.
The pedestrian was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The sedan should have damage to the left front of the vehicle, said the FHP.
Anyone with information about the sedan can call Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477) or the Florida Highway Patrol at 407-737-2213.
The crash remains under investigation.
In December, the Kissimmee Police Department kicked off a six-month High Visibility Enforcement (HVE) detail to help better protect pedestrians and bicyclists in the area.
“Osceola County ranked in the top 20 counties in the state for traffic crashes resulting in serious and fatal injuries to pedestrians and bicyclists,” said Sgt. Stacey Legel in KPD’s traffic enforcement unit in December. “Besides that, Central Florida in general has been named one of the most dangerous regions in the nation.”
In 2017, 3,135 people were killed in traffic crashes on Florida’s roadways. More than 22 percent of them were pedestrians (720) and more than 5 percent were bicyclists (160), according to the Kissimmee Police Department.
“On average, three people are struck a day in Central Florida,” Legel added. “On average one person is killed each week crossing the street here in Central Florida.”
The Kissimmee Police Department’s main goal with the enforcement is to educate pedestrians and bicyclists to avoid them becoming a statistic. Officers will be handing out educational fliers and quick reference guides to people.
In Florida Highway Patrol Troop D, which covers Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia counties, there were 21 fatal hit-and-run crashes in both 2019 and 2020.
Osceola County however, saw 7 fatal hit-and-runs in 2019, but only 2 in 2020. In total hit-and-run crashes in Osceola, there were 1,235 in 2019 and 1,051 in 2020.
“So it looks like Osceola County went against the trend and actually went down in both hit and run crashes and fatalities,” said Lt. Kim Montes, spokeswoman for Troop D.
In partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, Florida Sheriffs Association, Florida Association of Crime Stoppers, and AAA – The Auto Club Group, the Stay at the Scene campaign aims to educate drivers on their responsibilities if involved in a crash, the serious consequences they face if they do not Stay at the Scene, and how motorists can easily and anonymously report tips on hit-and-run crashes to law enforcement.
The vast majority of hit-and-run fatalities occur at night or during lowlight hours. According to an FLHSMV analysis, 85 percent of all hit-andrun fatalities from 2015 to 2020 occurred during dawn, dusk, or nighttime conditions. Motorists are urged to drive safely and look twice for vulnerable road users, especially when there is low visibility. Vulnerable road users are particularly at risk. In fact, of the 254 hit-and-run fatalities in 2020, 137 were pedestrians and 25 were bicyclists. To further prevent these types of crashes from occurring, it is critical for pedestrians or bicyclists to be as visible as possible with proper lights and reflectors.
“Leaving the scene of a traffic crash is a serious offense,” said Florida Highway Patrol Director Col. Gene S. Spaulding. “It’s your duty as a driver involved in a crash to remain at the scene and provide assistance to other motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians or other parties who have been injured or received property damage. It’s not only the right thing to do, it’s the law.”
Under Florida law, a driver must stop immediately at the scene of a crash on public or private property that results in property damage, injury, or death. Leaving the scene of a crash is a felony and a driver, when convicted, will have their license revoked for at least three years and can be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of four years in prison.
“Hit-and-run drivers not only damage property and injure innocent persons but cause hardship on their own families when apprehended. Our deputy sheriffs constantly network with the Florida Highway Patrol to ensure the safety of the motoring public through initiatives such as the Hit-and-Run Awareness Campaign which we fully support,” said Sheriff Bobby Schultz, president of the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Important steps to follow if you are involved in a crash:
• Make sure you are OK and remain calm.
• If possible, move to the side of the road. Remove your keys if you get out of your vehicle and stand out of the roadway 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, stay calm and 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 may save a life.
