A Port Charlotte woman has entered a written not-guilty plea in connection with the death of a 17-year-old e-bike rider who was struck in a late-night hit-and-run late last month. Troopers say the crash left the teen critically injured, and he later died at a Sarasota hospital. The defendant, 33-year-old Angelica Brianna Clark, is now formally contesting the charge as the criminal investigation moves forward.
What investigators say
According to Gulf Coast News Now, troopers say Clark initially stopped after the collision and checked her rearview mirror, but then drove off because she believed she had hit an animal. Investigators say Clark later told them she left the scene because she had been drinking and was scared, and that she told her son what happened. Her son then called law enforcement, the outlet reports.
Crash timeline and aftermath
The Florida Highway Patrol report places the crash at about 10:19 p.m. on May 30 at the intersection of Coliseum Boulevard and Wilmington Boulevard. The 17-year-old, who was riding an electric bicycle westbound, turned onto Wilmington and was hit by a northbound Hyundai Palisade, according to WWSB. The teen was airlifted to Sarasota Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on June 2, the station reports.
How police tracked the driver
Troopers later found a damaged SUV at a nearby home and identified Clark as the driver, according to Accident Injury News, which cites the Florida Highway Patrol account. Clark was arrested and booked on a felony count of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury as investigators gathered evidence from the vehicle.
Plea and next steps
Clark entered her written not-guilty plea on Monday, and another court hearing is set for August 4, according to Gulf Coast News Now. Prosecutors and troopers say the investigation is still active as they analyze vehicle damage, interview witnesses and wait on toxicology results.
Legal stakes
Florida law significantly increases penalties for drivers who take off after a crash. Under Florida Statutes 316.027, willfully leaving the scene after causing serious bodily injury is a felony, and leaving the scene after a death can be charged as a first-degree felony with a mandatory minimum four-year prison term. Whether prosecutors add or upgrade charges will depend on the evidence, medical findings and what they believe they can prove in court.
Local e-bike safety debate
The fatal crash comes as Charlotte County planners and commissioners are already reexamining e-bike rules and safety measures on local roads. Planning materials flag concerns about micromobility devices and intersections, according to the Charlotte County MPO. Local officials have said enforcement and better infrastructure are key to heading off more tragedies as e-bike use climbs.
The Florida Highway Patrol says the criminal investigation is ongoing and is asking anyone with information to contact the troopers handling the case, WWSB reports.
