A Polk County man living in Winter Haven is under the microscope after investigators tied him to a fatal hit-and-run on U.S. 27, in part because the pickup they were looking for later popped up for sale on Facebook Marketplace. The crash happened at the intersection of U.S. 27 and Francisco Street in Hendry County, where a pedestrian trying to cross the highway was struck and pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers later zeroed in on a 1999 Ford Ranger that they believe was the vehicle involved.
Troopers Track Down Suspected Truck In Osceola County
After what officials described as an exhaustive search, Florida Highway Patrol troopers located the 1999 Ford Ranger in Osceola County and say the driver had taken off instead of stopping after the collision. The agency’s account of the crash, which details a pedestrian crossing U.S. 27 near Francisco Street when they were hit, was summarized by local reporters, according to Gulf Coast News Now.
Marketplace Listing Leads Investigators To Winter Haven
According to Tampa Bay 28, troopers say the Polk County suspect, who lives within Winter Haven city limits, posted the Ranger for sale on Facebook Marketplace the afternoon before investigators recovered it. The listing tagged its location as Winter Haven. When questioned by law enforcement, the man told troopers the truck had been in Kissimmee.
Police Seek Tips As Online Listings Fuel Other Cases
The Florida Highway Patrol and local Crime Stoppers are asking anyone who knows anything about the truck or its driver to call in or submit a tip through the P3 app, according to local reporting. Officers have leaned on online marketplaces in other recent probes, using listings as leads in theft and fencing cases. A similar Facebook operation in Bradenton led to multiple arrests earlier this month, as detailed in a Facebook sting in Bradenton. For now, troopers say outside tips are still crucial as the investigation moves forward, according to Gulf Coast News Now.
What Florida Law Says About Leaving The Scene
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is a serious felony that can bring significant prison time, with penalties that increase depending on whether there is injury or death. The duty to stop, stay at the scene and provide aid is spelled out in state statute as codified by the Florida Legislature. As of the initial wave of public reporting, it was not yet clear whether criminal charges had been filed in this case, and authorities had not released the suspect’s name, according to Tampa Bay 28.
