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February is Hit-and-Run Awareness Month, and a new awareness campaign in Florida is focusing on reducing the number of fatalities in such crashes.
Hit-and-run fatalities in Florida increased by more than 18% in 2020, even as total hit-and-runs decreased by 13% compared to the previous year.
“[The year] 2020 revealed that we had 91,000 hit-and-run crashes which basically says in Florida, 91,000 people leave the scene of a crash,” said Lt. Jason King with the Florida Highway Patrol’s Troop-A. “Two hundred-fifty-four fatalities and 921 serious bodily injuries.”
King adds it’s not just those driving cars and trucks, the less protection around you, the more vulnerable you are.
Fifth suspect arrested for biker road rage attack, one more wanted
Published: January 29, 2021 10:03 AM EST
Updated: February 5, 2021 1:18 PM EST
UPDATE (Feb. 5, 2021): Charges were not filed against Kevin Cordero, 27, and Stephan Antonio Carrion-Velazquez, 31, due to a request from the arresting agency, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, after the victim recanted their identification.
A fifth person has been arrested for a biker road rage attack involving multiple suspects.
According to Crime Stoppers, Stephan Antonio Carrion-Velazquez, 31, turned himself in at the Lee County Jail Thursday night in connection with the January 9, road rage incident in North Fort Myers.
Carrion faces charges of felony battery, burglary, and property damage and is being held without bail.
Investigators encourage any tips about Fort Myers deadly hit-and-run
Published: January 28, 2021 5:19 PM EST
Updated: January 29, 2021 1:44 PM EST
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A manhunt is underway for the driver of an SUV that hit and killed a man in Southwest Florida, and investigators want any tips they can get to find the person who left a victim to die.
Fort Myers Police Department is searching for the suspect of the hit-and-run that claimed the life of 74-year-old Paul Richard Hanson Jan. 23.
The Ford Expedition that is connected to the deadly crash was recovered Wednesday by police after it was found at the Parker Lakes community in south Fort Myers. Crime Stoppers received a tip that led police to the suspect vehicle, and they bet people also know how to help investigators find the driver responsible.
Another arrest made in North Fort Myers road rage attack
Published: January 27, 2021 12:50 PM EST
Updated: January 28, 2021 7:40 AM EST
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Kevin Cordero, 27, is accused of a felony battery in connection with the incident on Pondella Road.
The victim, Jeremy Harris, captured the fight on dashcam footage. In an interview with WINK News, Harris said he yelled at a troop of motorcyclists because they were blocking the intersections to allow others to forgo red lights.
Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers are still looking for this man, part of a motorcycle crew accused of beating up a driver in a road rage incident Jan. 9, in North Fort Myers. (CREDIT: SWFL Crime Stoppers)
2 crooks wanted for stealing water system from Lehigh Acres home
Published: January 26, 2021 4:06 PM EST
Updated: January 26, 2021 4:07 PM EST
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Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers wants help from the public to identify two crooks accused of stealing a water system from a home in Lehigh Acres recently.
According to the Crime Stoppers Facebook post, two male suspects are wanted for grand theft at a home in the 3800 block of 6th Street Southwest, where they were recorded in the late hours of Jan. 24 by a trail cam stealing a water system from the home.
A suspect is seen at a home in Lehigh Acres, where a water system theft reportedly took place Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. SWFL Crime Stoppers wants anyone with information to come forward to help investigators track down the accused crooks. Credit: SWFL Crime Stoppers.