A tragic incident has deeply shaken the Treasure Coast community after a fatal hit-and-run claimed the life of a scooter rider in Fort Pierce. Local authorities are urgently asking for the public’s assistance to locate the driver responsible for the deadly collision, which ultimately culminated in a secondary crash into a local business.
According to the Fort Pierce Police Department, the devastating events unfolded just before 9 p.m. on Sunday, October 11. The collision occurred along Okeechobee Road, just west of South 25th Street. A man riding a scooter was stopped at a red light behind a Toyota pickup truck when an eastbound white van failed to stop, striking the scooter from behind.
That in turn led to a domino effect where the motorcyclist was ejected from the scooter itself and was thrown into the vehicle in front of the scooter.
The St. Lucie County Fire District was dispatched at 8:51 p.m. and arrived within four minutes. Tragically, the scooter rider was pronounced dead at the scene. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending family notification.
Rather than staying to render aid, the driver of the white van reportedly initiated a chaotic escape. Fort Pierce Police Major Michael Santiago stated that the driver reversed, made a U-turn, and briefly traveled the wrong way—heading westbound in the eastbound lanes of Okeechobee Road. The erratic getaway ended when the driver crossed the median, lost control, and slammed directly into the Kings & Queens Unisex Salon. Following the crash, the suspect abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot.
A rapid response perimeter was quickly established. Fort Pierce Police, assisted by K-9 units and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office aviation team, scoured the area but were unable to locate the fleeing suspect. By Monday afternoon, the van had been towed away, leaving behind a boarded-up entrance, broken concrete, and severe structural damage to the salon.
Salon owner Sheila Hampton, who found herself suddenly facing extensive damage to her livelihood, expressed both shock over her business and profound sympathy for the grieving family. She noted that her primary thoughts were with the loved ones of the victim, stating that such a tragedy should never have happened.
Suspect Description and Investigation Updates:
While the driver remains at large, investigators have recovered the white van and successfully identified its registered owner, who resides just over a mile from the crash site. However, police note that the owner ceased communicating with authorities after being questioned about who had access to the vehicle that night.
Based on witness accounts and evidence left at the scene, authorities have released the following details regarding the suspect:
- Appearance: Described by witnesses as a Hispanic male.
- Clothing: Seen wearing a dark top paired with light-colored shorts or pants.
- Condition: Investigators believe the suspect may have sustained physical injuries during the dual collisions.
Fort Pierce authorities are actively seeking surveillance video that may have captured the driver fleeing the scene. They are urging any Treasure Coast residents who may have seen the white van on Sunday night, recognize the suspect description, or possess relevant security footage to contact the Fort Pierce Police Department immediately.
