A pedestrian was struck and killed near his own home in Okeechobee County Monday night, and the driver never stopped. The crash happened at 8:22 p.m. on U.S. Highway 441 Southeast near Southeast 42nd Place, and the vehicle sped off southbound, leaving investigators to piece together clues from debris scattered at the scene.
According to WPBF, the pedestrian was transported to HCA Florida Raulerson Hospital in Okeechobee, where he later died from his injuries. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the collision as a deadly hit-and-run, and so far the driver responsible has not been identified.
The man was in the roadway near his home when the unknown vehicle struck him, as reported by CW34. Rather than stopping, the driver sped away southbound on U.S. 441, according to the outlet, leaving behind a scene that closed part of the highway for hours.
Investigators Zero In On a Damaged Pickup
Evidence collected at the scene indicates the suspect vehicle could be either a 2014-2026 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra pickup truck, the same WPBF report states. Law enforcement said the vehicle is missing its entire right-side mirror and possibly has damage to the headlight, fog light and right side, details that could help identify it if spotted on the road or in a repair shop.
A possible witness told investigators they heard the crash and a vehicle speeding away, but did not see the vehicle itself, per the CW34 account. That gap has left troopers reliant on physical evidence and public tips rather than an eyewitness description of the driver.
The 4200 block of Southeast U.S. Highway 441 was closed while FHP investigated the crash, with travelers urged to find an alternative route, according to a separate WPBF report on the road closure.
How to Report Information
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Florida Highway Patrol Corporal Bradley Meer at [email protected] or by calling (772) 467-3507. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-8477, and anonymous tips may qualify for a cash reward, the same CW34 account notes.
The case adds to a grim tally across Okeechobee County, which recorded 668 total crashes in 2024, including eight that were fatal, according to LakeONews. Of the twelve crashes involving pedestrians that year, one was fatal, the outlet reported, while the county also logged 117 hit-and-run crashes with no fatalities and 19 injuries. Statewide, Florida saw 94,511 hit-and-run crashes in 2024 alone, resulting in 227 deaths and 19,660 injuries, per the same source.
