A 24-year-old Fort Pierce man is facing severe charges following a hit-and-run incident that left a pedestrian with serious injuries on the Treasure Coast. The event highlights ongoing safety and law enforcement efforts in the St. Lucie County area, just south of Vero Beach and Indian River County.
Authorities have charged the suspect with failing to stop or remain at a crash involving serious bodily injury after he allegedly ran over a man with his vehicle following an argument, subsequently fleeing the scene.
According to local police reports, officers responded to the area of South 17th Street and Emerald Terrace at approximately 7:45 p.m. on September 20. A witness at the scene reported that two men had been engaged in an argument. The situation rapidly escalated when the driver, identified as Brandon Antunes Hernandez, allegedly put his vehicle into gear and struck the other man.
The victim sustained a broken ankle from the impact and was promptly transported to HCA Florida Lawnwood Hospital for necessary medical treatment.
Following the collision, the suspect fled northbound. Law enforcement officers initiated a search and later spotted a vehicle matching the witness descriptions. Police successfully conducted a traffic stop at the intersection of South 15th Street and Citrus Avenue, taking Antunes Hernandez into custody at 11:00 p.m.
Key details of the incident include:
- Incident Location: South 17th Street and Emerald Terrace in Fort Pierce.
- Vehicle Involved: A black Ford Mustang, which police noted had significant front-end damage upon discovery.
- Charges: Failing to stop or remain at a hit-and-run crash involving serious bodily injury.
Following his arrest, Antunes Hernandez was booked into the St. Lucie County Jail. Records indicate he was held without bail under an ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) hold. This type of administrative detainer provides federal agents the necessary time to review an individual’s immigration status and determine whether they should be placed into deportation proceedings following local criminal charges.
