One of the great things about living in Florida, particularly the Fort Walton Beach area, is that the weather is relatively warm and mild most of the year. Many people enjoy riding bicycles to get from place to place or just for recreation; however, cyclists have little or no protection from larger passenger vehicles if involved in a wreck. One Crestview man was killed recently in a hit-and-run accident with a motor vehicle. Authorities are seeking information in relation to the accident.
Fatal hit-and-run
According to reports, the 44-year-old man from Crestview was riding his bicycle along State Road 85 early in the morning of Thursday, Oct. 7. Around 5 a.m. that morning, he was apparently struck from behind by an unknown vehicle as he was travelling south on the road. The driver fled the crash scene in the vehicle.
A passerby apparently removed the bicycle from the roadway and alerted authorities. The Florida Highway Patrol is now seeking assistance from anyone who may have knowledge of the crash to come forward to help identify the driver of the vehicle. They have set up a hot line to receive tips.
Legal recourse for the victim’s family
Losing a loved one is never easy, especially in a case such as this where no one knows who caused the accident or why. However, when authorities locate the at-fault driver, the deceased victim’s surviving family member may elect to pursue a civil claim against the driver in pursuit of damages and recovery of associated expenses. Ostensibly, the driver will likely face charges in connection with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in fatal injuries, and the plaintiffs can use this, along with other evidence, to establish negligence on the part of the vehicle driver.