PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. -- Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is asking for the public’s help tracking down the driver of a silver pickup truck that who crashed into a teenage boy Friday night, leaving the young man to die.
According to Florida Highway Patrol, 14-year-old Devin Federly was riding his bicycle with friends in the southbound lane of Sheehan Boulevard in Port Charlotte around 8 p.m. on Friday. Witnesses said that a silver, single cab, older model pick up truck, heading northbound on Sheehan Boulevard, crossed over a double-yellow centerline into the southbound lane.
The truck collided with Federly, throwing the teen and his bicycle onto the west grass shoulder of the road. The driver quickly fled the scene.
“It is unconscionable that a driver could run into a person and just leave the scene without trying to do something to help,” said Trish Routte, Crime Stoppers Coordinator. “Devin had his whole life ahead of him, and whoever was behind the wheel of that truck took his life unnecessarily, and now has gone into hiding like a coward. We hope that anyone with information on who this person is will come forward and ensure that the driver is brought to justice.”
Hit and run crashes have steadily been on the rise in Florida. Last year, there were 92,000 hit and run crashes in our state, causing 19,000 injuries and 186 deaths. Over half of the fatalities were pedestrians.
The truck sustained right front and windshield damage. Anyone with information on the identity of the driver, or the whereabouts of the truck, is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477). All callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. Tips may also be made online at www.swflcrimestoppers.org or by texting a tip to CRIMES (274637) Keyword: REWARD.
