PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — A driver left the scene but was later located after a man riding a bicycle was hit and killed Friday morning near Atlantis, deputies said.
The crash occurred at 7:35 a.m. at the intersection of Military Trail and Lantana Road.
According to a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office crash report, a 2011 Dodge Nitro SUV driven by a 55-year-old man was heading northbound on Military Trail approaching Lantana Road in the inside lane.
The bicyclist, who was not wearing a helmet, was crossing the northbound lanes of Military Trail in the south crosswalk at the intersection of Lantana Road.
Deputies said the bicyclist crossed into the path of the SUV, which caused a violent collision. The victim traveled up the hood of the SUV, struck the windshield and landed on the road.
Investigators said the driver of the vehicle continued northbound and fled the scene.
The bicyclist was taken to Delray Medical Center but was later pronounced dead at 8:17 a.m.
The sheriff's office said the driver and SUV were later located at his residence, which is near where the collision occurred.
The crash report indicates that drugs or alcohol may have played a factor in the wreck. The sheriff's office has not announced yet if the driver will face charges but said he is cooperating with investigators.
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Teri Barbera said they are waiting to release the name of the victim until his next of kin has been notified.
Dangerous Roads
Bethany Perez, who grew up in the area, said traffic has become congested. She said she's seen both cars and bikes break traffic laws.
"When you ride around or even walk your dogs, do you feel safe when you have to cross these intersections?" WPTV reporter Joel Lopez asked Perez.
"No," Perez said.
WPTV found bicyclist Michael Szaksez navigating Palm Beach County on his bike Friday.
"I usually put my vest on," Szaksez said. "I've got my helmet. I've got a flashing light in the front. I've got this bell."
Szaksez said he doesn't take chances on the road.
"If there were separated lanes or more bike lanes for cyclists, I think it would be better, and I think it'd be safer," Szaksez said.