COLLIER COUNTY — Florida Highway Patrol now has the car it believes was involved in a hit and run crash in Collier County.
That crash put a 15-year-old boy in the hospital in critical condition. Highway patrol says that boy was crossing Route 41, at the intersection with Southwest Boulevard last Thursday around 6:40 a.m., and he was using the crosswalk. But a black Ford F-150 hit him, and then drove off before police got to the scene.
Now, troopers say they have found the car, and it was right at the scene of the crime. Highway Patrol released a picture, showing the damage to the Ford F-150 after the accident.
It was in the parking lot of the Whistler’s Cove apartment complex, which is right at the intersection where the boy was hit. Highway Patrol says, once they had the car, they could find documentation for who bought it.
“We have located the owner and that is the part of our investigation that’s active right now," said Lt. Greg Bueno.
Bueno wouldn’t say whether the owner of the car is a suspect right now, but he did reiterate that, whoever is responsible didn’t do themselves any favors.
“We know it’s bad to be involved in a crash, but as soon as you leave that scene, you have now made that situation a whole lot worse, and you’ve committed a crime," said Bueno.
Bueno says that 15-year-old boy is still at Lee Memorial Hospital. Earlier on Tuesday, he says a trooper went to check on the family there.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with that young man to have a full and speedy recovery," said Bueno.
Bueno says now, they’re hoping to get help from the public to track down the person responsible.
“If anyone has any information regarding this crash, even if you think it’s not significant or minor, or happened post-crash, certainly let us know," said Bueno.
If you have a tip, you can call Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers at (800) 780-8477 and you can remain anonymous.
