Girl Dies 2 Weeks After Osprey Hit And Run, Driver Faces Charges: FHP

OSPREY, FL — The 13-year-old victim of a hit and run in Osprey two weeks ago has died from her injuries, Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release.

On the afternoon of Aug. 16, the driver, David C. Chang of Osprey, was heading west on Easy Bay Street, toward a crosswalk at Old Venice Road, when he hit the girl, who was on her bicycle, FHP said.

He drove away from the scene, and troopers later found and impounded his car in Tampa.

Chang was arrested the next day and charged with hit-and-run with serious injuries and tampering with evidence, FHP said. He was booked into Sarasota County Jail.

The girl, identified as Lilly, WWSB reported, was in critical condition following the crash. She had extensive damage to her brain stem, which was inoperable, and other injuries, according to a GoFundMe fundraiser that has raised more than $142,000 for her family.

She died Sunday at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FHP said.

“Our sweet Lilly passed away today surrounded by family. Her injuries were too extensive, and she is no longer suffering,” her mother shared in an update on the GoFundMe page. “I hardly know what to say. Thank you again everyone for your support and kindness. She was able to save at least (five) lives with her organ donations as I know that’s what she would have wanted. I will update you again with funeral arrangements when they become available.”

Following her death, authorities tracked down Chang in Jacksonville, Arkansas, where he was arrested Sunday with the help of Arkansas State Law Enforcement, according to Florida Highway Patrol.

He now faces an added charge of leaving the scene without rendering aid and involving death, a felony. He’ll be extradited to Sarasota County, FHP said.

The agency’s traffic homicide and hit-and-run investigations section continue to investigate the crash.

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.