NewsTreasure CoastRegion Martin CountyStuart

Actions

Person dies in hit-and-run crash near Roosevelt Bridge

An elderly man in a motorized wheelchair was the victim, Dante Jaycustllo says
Posted at 11:00 AM, Mar 17, 2024
and last updated 2024-03-17 23:46:39-04

STUART, Fla. — Stuart police are investigating a fatal hit-and-run crash that happened Saturday night.

Shortly before 10 p.m., officers were called to a crash north of the Roosevelt Bridge near U.S. Highway 1 and Wright Boulevard, according to a post on Facebook.

“I heard a loud bang, ” Dante Jaycustllo said. “It sounded like a gunshot or somebody getting hit on a motorcycle.”

Jaycustllo said he panhandles the street to make ends meet.

“I’m hungry everyday and I got to feed my family and that’s what I do,” he said.

However, he’s bit more concerned about his safety after the hit and run crash.

“Sometimes I think somebody might hit me, because they speed around the corner,” Jaycustllo said.

Documents show a bicyclist was killed in the same intersection about 10 years ago. It lists visibility as a contributing factor.

Two deadly hit and run crashes happened last year in Martin County, according to the Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.

Stuart police haven’t released any information, other than the time of the crash, even after WPTV reached out Sunday afternoon.

Jaycustillo said an elderly man in a motorized wheelchair was the victim.

“He’s a nice guy,” he said. “He waves and salutes.”

For now, Jaycustllo will become more cautious.

“Drunk drivers on Saturday and Friday night are ones I have to worry about,” he said.