Troopers Identify Person Of Interest In Fatal Christmas Crash

NEW PORT RICHEY, FL — The Florida Highway Patrol has identified a person of interest in a hit-and-run crash that left a 22-year-old pedestrian dead on Christmas Day.

A white Audi A6 sedan was traveling north in the outside lane of U.S. 19 approaching Manor Drive at 9:58 p.m. when it struck the New Port Richey man who was walking in the northbound right turn lane of U.S. 19.

The Audi fled the scene. A trooper was flagged down by witnesses but was unable to locate the vehicle. However, he clocked the Audi traveling 98 mph shortly after the crash heading east on State Road 54 near Madison Street.

Troopers located photographic evidence that the Audi was last seen fleeing north on Thys Road. The Audi A6 was located abandoned Wednesday afternoon at a parking lot on Barker Drive at Grey Street in Elfers with damage consistent with a pedestrian traffic crash.

Troopers believe the car belongs to Moran Derraill Brown Jr., 28, who has active warrants for his arrests including violation of probation, fleeing and eluding, possession of cocaine and driving while his license was revoked.

Troopers are still search for videos from the areas around Thys Road, U.S. 19 and State Road 54 taken between 10 p.m. and midnight on Christmas.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the FHP by calling 813-558-1800 or *FHP (*347).