The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) is looking for the driver of an SUV who fled the scene after colliding with and killing a bicyclist from Ridge Manor on New Year’s Day.
FHP Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Sgt. Steve Gaskins said that at 6:45 a.m. on Jan. 1, the driver of what is believed to be a 2007-2010 Edge crossover SUV unknown in color was traveling south on U.S. 301 while south of Running Pon Lane, a bicyclist ridden by a 44-year-old man from Ridge manor was also traveling south on U.S.-301. The bicycle had no lights and its rider was wearing dark clothing but no helmet.
According to Gaskins, the driver of the SUV overtook and collided with the bicycle. The bicyclist was subsequently thrown onto the shoulder of the roadway, and the vehicle continued to drag the bicycle for 350 feet down U.S.-301 before it dislodged from the SUV.
The driver then fled the scene.
The Ridge Manor man was taken to an area hospital, where he later died from the injuries that he sustained in the incident.
The FHP is hoping that the public might help them find the driver of the SUV. Anyone with information about the incident should call *FHP or **TIPS.
