CASSELBERRY, Fla. – An SUV suspected in a hit-and-run crash that killed a man walking his dog in Casselberry has been found, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers said the fatal crash happened around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday on Eagle Circle at Shadow Oak Drive.
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The FHP said the 63-year-old man was walking his dog when he was struck by a SUV. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Troopers said the dog was uninjured in the crash.
According to a crash report released Thursday morning, Casselberry police found the SUV abandoned a mile away from the crash site. FHP said the inside of the suspected vehicle was set on fire.
“Knowing that maybe they had stopped, maybe they could have gotten an ambulance here quicker and the person could have been saved,” said Cindy Henry, a neighbor in the area.
Troopers are talking to the owner to determine who was driving at the time of the crash.
Troopers said witnesses told them that the hit-and-run driver was in a silver Audi SUV and was headed west along Eagle Circle. Investigators told News 6 several parts of the SUV were found in the road.
Lt. Tara Crezcenzi with FHP said witnesses told troopers the vehicle appeared to be speeding.
“In this case, we’re obviously going to speak with the owner and see if they were operating the vehicle at the time of the collision or if they let someone borrow their car.”
A witness said she was able to take a video of the SUV with her phone, which Florida Highway Patrol said they will use as evidence. (See video below.)
“If you flee the scene, you’re looking at criminal charges. If you remain on scene, it might not have been your fault the crash happened,” Crezcenzi said.
An investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story and will be updated with more information as we receive it.