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LCSO searching for hit and run driver

Hit and run in Fort Myers causes jeep to overturn
Posted at 8:54 PM, Feb 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-02-19 20:54:16-05

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a hit and run driver behind a dangerous crash in Fort Myers Friday night.

The jeep flipped over, hurting a woman and her grandson inside.

This less than a week after FHP shared the importance of staying on the scene after a crash.

Cathy Loyola shared photos with Fox 4, after a hit and run led her jeep to flip onto a median, on Cypress Lake Drive near Fiesta Way.

Cathy and her 9-year-old grandson were inside, but luckily only sustained some injuries, the driver of the other car left the scene.

"In that split second if you make a poor choice and leave, that is a crime in the state of Florida,” said Lt. Greg bueno, PIO, Florida Highway Patrol.

Fleeing the scene of a crash with injuries is a third degree felony. When convicted the driver could have their license taken away for 3 years, be sentenced to 5 years in prison and/or pay a $5,000 fine.

Fox 4 reached out to Cathy and she told us since it’s an active investigation she doesn’t want to discuss anything on camera, but would love to thank the people that helped her and her grandson.

“If you are a party involved, if you are a witness to it, copy down the description of the vehicle, description of the driver, possibly a tag, immediately report that information,” said Bueno.

This is an active investigation and FHP is still looking for the driver.

The latest statistics from FHP say 1 in 4 crashes statewide result in a hit and run.

There were 535 hit and run citations issued in Lee County in 2018.