VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. – A 70-year-old Alabama woman is recovering after she was struck by an e-bike while walking on the beach in Daytona, deputies said.
The crash happened around 1:39 p.m. Thursday and deputies found the woman unconscious underneath the Main Street Pier, according to the Volusia Sheriff’s Office.
The woman was initially in unstable condition but has since regained consciousness, deputies said.
According to witnesses, a man was riding the e-bike at around 25 mph, crashed into the woman, fell on the ground and then left the beach, leaving the bike behind.
Deputies later found the suspect, identified as Frederick Rich, 42, of Holly Hill.
Rich was arrested at his home to face a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious injuries, according to an arrest report.
Rich told deputies about the crash on the beach and he said he left to try and get help, but according to the report there were no 911 calls received from Rich and video surveillance showed him walking around and not asking people for help.
He later then disputed his claims, telling deputies he feared repercussion because he was on probation.
“You know what sickens me about this whole thing? (...) Not one time since we been here have you asked about that lady,” a deputy could be heard saying on bodycam video.
He was then charged with violating his probation for child abuse.
He is in jail with no bond, deputies said.