WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — In an update regarding a tragic accident involving a pedestrian, new information from CBS12 News confirms that the incident was a hit-and-run that resulted in the death of a 23-year-old individual.
According to the West Palm Beach Police Department (WPBPD), the crash took place shortly before 5 a.m. on Saturday. Madison Gerhard, a 23-year-old resident of Palm Beach, was crossing 45th Street from south to north, west of I-95 when a westbound driver struck her.
The impact of the collision launched Gerhard approximately 50 feet into the air, causing her to land in the outer right turn lane near a RaceTrac gas station. Tragically, she died instantly upon impact, as confirmed by the West Palm Beach Police Department.
Investigators from the Traffic Homicide unit determined that the driver was traveling at a speed of 55 miles per hour at the time of the incident.
Following the tweet from WPBPD announcing the closure of westbound 45th Street from I-95, CBS12 News reported on the fatal crash on Saturday. The road was reopened to traffic later that same day at approximately 9:40 a.m.
During the course of their investigation, WPBPD investigators were able to locate both the driver and the van involved by Saturday afternoon.
Police indicate that crucial evidence, including a front right corner marker light, was collected by investigators. This evidence led them to identify the vehicle as a 1997 Chevrolet Astro van.
On Saturday afternoon, officers discovered the van parked in the backyard of a residence, concealed by a fence.
According to WPBPD, the owner of the van is a 56-year-old man whose name is being withheld due to the ongoing criminal investigation.
He willingly agreed to be interviewed at the police headquarters, where he admitted to driving the van and colliding with “something significant.”
