PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – A 37-year-old Lakeland man was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver on Interstate 275 in Pinellas County Friday night. The Florida Highway Patrol is seeking information from the public to help identify the vehicle and driver involved.
According to investigators, the incident occurred around 8:19 PM near milepost 32, just north of 4th Street North. The victim had pulled his Mazda 3 onto the shoulder of the interstate to change a flat tire. While outside the vehicle, he was struck by a passing vehicle that failed to move over as required by law.
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The victim was transported to a local hospital but tragically succumbed to his injuries.
Preliminary reports suggest the hit-and-run vehicle may be a Tesla, but the exact model is unknown.
The Florida Highway Patrol is urging anyone with information about this incident to contact them by calling *FHP (*347) or Crime Stoppers. Even the smallest detail could be crucial in identifying the driver responsible for this fatal crash.
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