LAKELAND, Fla. – Lakeland Police need your help in a hit-and-run crash that happened around 10:25 pm on Friday on US 98 North.
According to police on Friday, at approximately 10:25 p.m., officers responded to a crash near the 3400 block of US Highway 98 North.
At the scene, officers located an unresponsive male in the roadway that had been struck by a vehicle.
Members of the Lakeland Police Department, Lakeland Fire Department, and Polk County Fire Rescue responded to the scene to render aid to the pedestrian and secure the scene.
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The pedestrian, a 29-year-old male, was transported to Lakeland Regional Health Center with critical injuries.
Based on evidence gathered thus far, investigators believe that before the crash, a dark-colored pickup truck was traveling southbound in the center lane of US Highway 98 North in the 3400 block. As the vehicle continued southbound, the driver of the vehicle began to change lanes from the center lane into the inside lane of travel.
At the same time, a pedestrian was in the inside southbound lane, attempting to cross the roadway.
The driver of the vehicle attempted an evasive maneuver to avoid hitting the pedestrian but was unsuccessful and struck the pedestrian.
The vehicle came to a controlled stop in the northbound lanes of the roadway but, shortly after, fled the scene in a southbound direction without making any attempts to render aid or provide any information.
The roadway was shut down for approximately four hours while the scene was processed for the ongoing investigation.
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The driver of the vehicle has not been identified at this time.
Police say a witness captured a digital photograph of the suspect vehicle, a dark-colored lifted pickup truck. Investigators believe it may have damage on the passenger side,
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact investigator Edgardo Cruz at Edgardo.cruz@lakelandgov.net or Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida.
Tipsters will always remain anonymous when sending a tip through Crime Stoppers and could be eligible for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest.
Submitting a tip is easy:
- Call 1-800-226 TIPS (8477)
- From your cell phone, dial **TIPS
- Or visit the website www.heartlandcrimestoppers.com and click on “Submit A Tip,”
- Or download the free “P3tips” app on your smartphone or tablet.
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