RUSKIN — State troopers will use the home of a 13-year-old hit-and-run victim to highlight a rise in the number of crashes statewide where motorists drive off leaving victims behind.
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In 2016, there were 99,004 hit-and-run crashes in Florida, about 4,500 more than the year before, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
The number of people killed in those crashes rose from 175 in 2015 to 198 in 2016, the department said.
STILL IN HIDING: FHP wants family to give up man wanted in crash
A news conference is scheduled today at the Ruskin home of Cameron Fuller, who was riding his new Christmas bike on New Year’s Eve when he was hit by a green 2002 Chevrolet Suburban driven by Jorge Soria, the Highway Patrol said.
Soria did not stop and is wanted by authorities, the Highway Patrol said. Cameron is recovering from his injuries.
Under Florida law, a driver must stop immediately at the scene of a crash on public or private property that results in injury or death. Leaving the scene of a crash is a felony and drivers, uppon conviction, lose their licenses for at least three years and face a mandatory minimum of four years in prison.
"Leaving the scene of a traffic crash is a crime," said Florida Highway Patrol Director Col. Gene Spaulding. "It is your responsibility to remain at the scene and immediately report the accident to law enforcement. You should do your best to provide immediate assistance to other motorists, passengers or pedestrians that may have been injured in the crash and wait for emergency first responders to arrive."
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