Fort Lauderdale authorities are urgently appealing to the public for help in tracking down the driver of a dark-colored Jeep Wrangler, linked to a disturbing scene where a man was fatally struck while lying on a city street. According to a CBS News report, the victim, 73-year-old Esperant Lahens, was discovered unresponsive early Sunday morning and was pronounced dead at the site of the incident by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department (FLPD).
The critical event occurred in the 100 block of Northwest First Street at around 2:06 a.m., and although not currently accused of a crime, the driver of the Jeep may have unknowingly driven over Lahens, who lay in front of the parked vehicle, then a passerby, finding no signs of life, dialed 911 around 6:25 a.m. to alert emergency services, as noted in a statement obtained by WSVN.
With the situation unfolding quickly, the FLPD turned to the community for assistance in locating the individuals associated with the Jeep; surveillance footage released by the police captures moments of the incident, potentially providing crucial evidence in their investigation. "FLPD is seeking information on the driver for the purpose of the case, however the driver is currently not accused of a crime," FLPD spokeswoman Casey Liening told CBS News.
Investigators are trying to understand what happened the night Lahens was killed, as the vehicle's occupants might not have seen him near the curb. Anyone with information should contact Traffic Homicide Investigator Russell Brown at 954-828-5754 or call Broward Crime Stoppers anonymously at 954-493-TIPS (8477).
