A two-day investigation into a traffic fatality in St. Johns County has determined a 41-year-old motorized scooter rider died in an Aug. 18 crash on Florida 16.
The Florida Highway Patrol crash report states that the right front bumper of a sport-utility vehicle struck the rear of the man's scooter in the westbound lane of Florida 16 in the area of Downs Corner Road at about 10 p.m. Aug. 18. The scooter and rider was pushed into the ditch on the right shoulder. The SUV driver did not remain at the scene, according to the report.
The Sheriff's Office on the next day sent out a 6 p.m. alert about an active investigation at the same location but was being led by the Highway Patrol. It's been clarified that the rider wasn't found until Aug. 19.
What
hasn't been clarified is that the FHP report also identifies the SUV driver as a 47-year-old St. Augustine woman. The Times-Union has asked how she's been identified if she left the scene, and is awaiting for clarification.
Scott Butler has been an editor/reporter specializing in public safety coverage for 26 years with The Florida Times-Union. He can be reached at sbutler@jacksonville.com.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Motorized scooter rider dies in FL 16 crash, knocked into ditch
