The community of Vero Beach is reeling following a tragic weekend incident. The Florida Highway Patrol is actively searching for the driver of a pickup truck involved in a fatal hit-and-run crash that claimed the life of a local resident in unincorporated Indian River County.
According to investigators, the fatal collision occurred on Sunday evening at approximately 8:57 p.m. A 48-year-old Vero Beach man was traveling westbound on his electric bicycle along 8th Street. As he approached the intersection of 14th Avenue, a light-colored pickup truck approached from behind in the same lane.
A 48-year-old electric bicycle rider from Vero Beach was tragically killed after being struck by a hit-and-run driver in a light-colored Ford F-150 on Sunday night.
Authorities report that the driver of the truck attempted an evasive maneuver, swerving southwest and partially crossing into the eastbound lane of 8th Street. Unfortunately, the vehicle still struck the bicyclist with its right side. The force of the impact threw the victim onto the roadway, where he came to rest in the eastbound lane. The driver then fled the scene without stopping to render aid or notify law enforcement.
The victim was promptly transported to Lawnwood Hospital, where he was sadly pronounced dead. To aid the ongoing investigation, officials have released specific details about the suspect’s vehicle:
- Vehicle Type: Ford F-150 pickup truck
- Model Years: Believed to be between 2015 and 2020
- Color: Light-colored exterior
- Distinguishing Damage: Investigators note the truck may be missing its right-side rearview mirror as a direct result of the crash
Following the incident, both eastbound and westbound lanes of 8th Street were temporarily blocked while investigators processed the scene.
The Florida Highway Patrol is asking anyone in the Vero Beach and wider Indian River County area with information about this vehicle or its driver to come forward immediately. Community cooperation is critical to locating the suspect and ensuring community safety on local Treasure Coast roadways.
