Florida has laws that govern what a person should do in the event of an accident. Even if there is just minor property damage, they are required to stop and exchange information with the other driver. Deciding to flee the scene may be something that happens when a person is scared or acting on instinct, but it can have some serious consequences. Leaving the scene of an accident with just property damage can be charged as a misdemeanor. When it comes to injuries, the charge can quickly escalate to become a felony. If someone is killed in the accident, it becomes a first-degree felony.
Local 10 News reports that a tourist has survived a hit-and-run accident on A1A in Fort Lauderdale. The crash occurred on February 6 at about 4:15 A.M.
Bjorghill Andreassen was vacationing in South Florida and was out with a friend before preparing to go on a cruise. She and her friend had stepped outside of the popular Rock Bar on A1A. She tripped and on instinct, grabbed onto her friend, Terje Arntsen. Both fell into the street.
A northbound Porsche captured on surveillance camera attempted to swerve but hit both victims. The driver then fled the scene without stopping.
Andreassen awoke in the hospital with fractures to her face and the back of her head.
Arntsen is back in Norway and suffered from bleeding on the brain and a head injury. He will be out of work for six months.
Police need the public’s help in finding the hit-and-run driver.
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