Motorcyclist Killed In Sarasota County Hit-And-Run, Driver Sought: FHP

SARASOTA, FL — A motorcyclist was killed in a hit-and-run crash Tuesday night in Sarasota County, according to a Florida Highway Patrol news release. Investigators are searching for the driver of an SUV who left the scene.

The SUV was heading north on Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, approaching the intersection of Fruitville Road and facing a red traffic light, just before 10 p.m. The motorcyclist was traveling east on Fruitville Road, in the right lane, toward the intersection while facing a green traffic light, at the same time, FHP said.

The SUV hit the motorcycle in the intersection, the agency said. The motorcyclist, a 21-year-old Orlando man, was critically injured and brought to an area hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

The SUV drove away from the crash and troopers are searching for its driver.

Troopers later found an abandoned 2020 Audi SUV on I-75 at mile marker 210 in Sarasota County, though they’re not sure if it was the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run, FHP said. The SUV was impounded.

Anyone with information about this crash is asked to contact Florida Highway Patrol at *FHP (347) or Sarasota County Crime Stoppers at 941-366-8477 or www.sarasotacrimestoppers.com.