ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Troopers with the Florida Highway Patrol are investigating a hit-and-run crash in which they said a man left the scene of a crash after he struck and killed a motorcyclist early Monday morning.
Officials said the crash happened on Taft Vineland Road and Satellite Boulevard around 4:45 a.m. when the driver of a dark colored Mazda veered into the westbound lane on Taft Vineland Road and struck the motorcyclist head-on.
“We believe the Mazda went into the opposite lane and hit the motorcyclist, killing the motorcyclist instantly,” Lt. Kim Montes said.
The motorcyclist, identified as Jonatanael Torres, 38, of Orlando, was pronounced dead on the scene, according to FHP.
Troopers said the other driver fled the scene on foot. Witnesses described him as a white or Hispanic male with a full beard wearing a red shirt and blue jeans.
Montes said having the car to search for evidence is a good first step in finding out who was behind the wheel.
“In hit-and-run crashes, getting the car is the biggest thing. So we do have the car. That’s the biggest first step. Now we need to prove who the driver was,” Montes said.
Anyone with information about the crash is urged to call CRIMELINE at 800-423-8477.
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