The victim of a hit-and-run on the Sawgrass Expressway in Broward County is said to be suffering from serious injuries.
The alleged victim was crossing the Expressway at Sample Road when he was struck by an eighteen-wheel truck. The truck driver allegedly did not stop and continued to flee the scene of the accident.
The injuries are severed, making this crime a third-degree felony. Leaving the scene of an accident where the alleged victim has suffered great bodily harm carries a maximum of five years in state prison.
Should the alleged victim pass away due to his injuries, the driver - if located - will be charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Traffic homicide investigators with the Florida Highway Patrol will be looking to find out the identity of the driver. If they have a tag, they will find out to whom the truck is registered, and will question the registered owner about who was driving the truck. Since the accused may be a long-haul truck driver, the truck is probably owned by a company that will keep records as to when the driver was operating the truck.
The police will want to speak with the suspect. As a criminal defense attorney representing clients charged hit-and-run crashes in Miami-Dade and Broward, I can only advise a suspect not to give a statement to law enforcement under any circumstances.
The police will likely put a photo lineup together to show witnesses and the alleged victim. If the driver can be identified that way he or she will be arrested and charged accordingly.
Eric Matheny is a Miami hit and run lawyer and Broward hit and run lawyer.