Two drivers who allegedly fled the scene after colliding with bike riders in The Villages last month have been arrested and put behind bars.
William Croop was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with serious injuries after local law enforcement officers tracked down his silver Jaguar. Cops say the 51-year-old Cropp was behind the wheel of the vehicle when it mowed down Villages resident Ken Nevers on Hillsborough Trail near Manatee Recreation Center.
Nevers, a 61-year-old who was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, suffered a broken rib, separated shoulder and gashes, according to Villages-News. He told the local news outlet that the impact of the crash caused his helmet to “split in two.”
Croop was also charged with drug possession and the possession of drug equipment, Villages-News reports. He was initially being held at the Sumter County Detention Center.
The crash was one of two separate hit and run accidents involving bike riders in The Villages in the span of just days.
Local police also recently arrested 89-year-old Villager Marilyn Hamilton for allegedly fleeing the scene after her Mercedes-Benz collided with bicyclist Jessica Laube. The 60-year-old Laube, a resident of the Village of Dunedin who was also wearing a helmet at the time, reportedly suffered brain trauma and was taken to Ocala Regional Medical Center.
Police found Hamilton’s car, which was said to be damaged in the collision, at an auto repair shop in Gainesville. She was charged with two counts of hit and run and released from Sumter County Detention Center after posting a $10,000 bond, according to Villages-News.
Legal Rights for People Injured in Hit and Run Accidents
The accidents and arrests are another stark reminder of the risk that can come with hopping on a bicycle, even in The Villages.
The good news for anyone injured in a bicycle accident in Florida is that you have the right to seek compensation from those responsible. That includes money damages for medical bills, property damage, missed wages, reduced income, and other consequences of the crash.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a hit and run bicycle or other accident, it is important to have an experienced personal injury attorney in your corner. A seasoned attorney can help you identify the driver responsible and ensure that you get the full compensation available under the law.
Speak with Villages Accident Attorney Tim Babiarz
Villages accident attorney Tim Babiarz has been fighting for people injured in a wide range of crashes for more than two decades. He is committed to helping clients get the full compensation available under the law.
Our office is conveniently located in the Villages. We are also proud to represent people throughout the area, including in Ocala, Leesburg, Lady Lake, Wildwood, Summerfield and beyond. Call (352) 205-7559 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a Villages accident attorney.
