ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a driver who hit a bicyclist Friday night in St. Lucie County, sending the victim to the hospital with serious injuries.
The hit-and-run happened at 10044 State Road A1A, just north of Pepper Lane, on Hutchinson Island.
Investigators said the initial call to FHP was that the bicyclist was dead, but the victim later regained a pulse and was taken to HCA Lawnwood Hospital in Fort Pierce.
FHP said the bicyclist, a 57-year-old man, was in critical condition before going into the operating room.
Officials believe the bicyclist was heading northbound on A1A and possibly struck from behind. The vehicle then fled the scene.
FHP was able to locate surveillance video from a nearby neighborhood that showed a truck was possibly involved in the crash.
Based on vehicle parts at the scene, investigators believe the vehicle is a 2007-2015 Toyota Tundra that is gray or silver. Investigators said the two-door truck will have right passenger side damage and possible missing parts of its passenger mirror.
The 57-year-old bicyclist, whose name has not been released, is still in the intensive care unit at the hospital but does not have brain activity.
FHP said they expect the incident will be upgraded to a criminal fatal case.