According to AAA, Florida is the most dangerous state in the nation for bicyclists. In its latest report, the agency stated that nearly 800 people in Florida died from bicycle accidents in 2017. Poor lighting and failure of motorists to yield right of way were two top contributing factors in the state for the accidents. Another factor is that many cities in Bay County and across the state are not very accommodating when it comes to bicyclists. Many residents say that motorists simply do not follow the laws that are currently in place to protect cyclists.
News 4 Jax reports that a St. Johns County driver has turned himself in after fatally striking two bicyclists.
A fatal hit-and-run involving two bicyclists occurred on the morning of Saturday, June 15th. The incident occurred on Racetrack Road in St. John’s County. That night, sheriff’s deputies executed a search warrant on Henry Haigler’s residence when he was not at home. They found a black Hyundai Azera with a damaged front end and a broken windshield. DNA evidence was located in the windshield as well.
Last Wednesday, the man believed responsible for the hit-and-run turned himself in. 37-year-old Henry Haigler III contacted the sheriff’s office and arranged for a place to meet where he would turn himself in.
On Thursday, he appeared before a judge who requested a mental health evaluation to be conducted. Haigler was noted by the judge to have made some statements which were considered to be suicidal. His bond was set at $50,000.
Given the amount of time that has passed, it will be difficult, if not impossible to determine if Haigler was intoxicated at the time of the crash. He is charged with two felony charges of hit and run.
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