A 20-year-old woman from the tiny east Orange County community of Christmas is behind bars after Florida troopers say she ran from a pre-dawn hit-and-run that killed a man along State Road 520, just south of Colonial Drive. The pedestrian, a 56-year-old man, was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers say the driver took off on foot after the crash.
What Troopers Say Happened
According to WFTV, Florida Highway Patrol troopers arrested 20-year-old Julia Ann Blackwell and booked her into the Orange County Jail on a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death. Records list Blackwell as a Christmas resident.
Florida Highway Patrol told the station that the investigation is still active, so some details are being kept under wraps for now.
Crash Scene in the Woods Off SR 520
As reported by WESH, troopers say the collision happened around 5:10 a.m. Saturday in a wooded area northeast of State Road 520 and south of State Road 50, also known as Colonial Drive.
Investigators say a 2020 GMC Sierra pickup struck the pedestrian, then continued off the road into the woods, where it got stuck in a mud pit. According to troopers, the driver then ran away from the disabled truck. The Sierra was later towed from the scene so investigators could process it for evidence.
The victim’s identity has not been released, pending notification of relatives, investigators said.
Ongoing Investigation and Calls for Tips
The Florida Highway Patrol is still piecing together exactly what led up to the deadly crash and is asking anyone who may have seen something to come forward, per ClickOrlando.
Troopers are especially interested in information from the State Road 520 and Colonial Drive area from that early morning window. Anyone with details is asked to call FHP at *347 or CRIMELINE at 1-800-423-TIPS. Investigators say they are gathering physical evidence and following up on leads as they come in.
Legal Stakes for Leaving the Scene
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is a serious felony. State statute section 316.027 classifies a hit-and-run involving a death as a first-degree felony, which can carry a mandatory minimum four-year prison term and at least a three-year driver’s license revocation, according to the Florida Statutes. Courts can also order restitution and add other penalties on top of prison time.
What We Know So Far
Investigators say the crash remains under review and the victim’s name has not yet been released, WFTV reports. Troopers are still seeking witnesses, as well as any available surveillance or dashcam video from the area, as they work to build their case.
