WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — A man has been arrested by authorities after reportedly fleeing from a hit-and-run incident that resulted in the death of a 66-year-old man in West Palm Beach.
The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) stated that the collision occurred at 2:58 a.m. on a Saturday, when the victim was standing on the outside paved shoulder of northbound I-95, just north of Palm Beach Lakes Boulevard.
According to investigators, the victim’s car had broken down, and he was waiting for help on the side of the road. At that moment, 26-year-old Walter Diego Velazquez was driving a Honda Civic Sedan in the northbound lane of I-95.
For reasons yet to be determined, Velazquez’s sedan veered onto the outside shoulder and collided with the victim.
After the collision, the victim was thrown toward the grassy shoulder and came to rest face-up. Meanwhile, the sedan continued moving and eventually crashed into a tree.
Instead of staying at the scene, Velazquez fled on foot, leaving the injured victim behind. Tragically, the 66-year-old man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene by Palm Beach County Fire Rescue (PBCFR).
Following an extensive investigation, Traffic Homicide Investigators were able to locate Velazquez at his residence and apprehend him. The FHP has charged him with hit-and-run fatality, operating a motor vehicle with no driver’s license and causing fatal injuries, and vehicular homicide.
Velazquez’s bail has been set at $30,000.
