Moped driver dies in Lake County hit-and-run crash

26-year-old man struck twice

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. – A man driving a moped died after being struck by two different vehicles, one of which did not stop, during a crash in Lake County on Wednesday night, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Patrick Burns, 26, and his passenger, Alexandria Swisher, 18, were on Burns' moped on southbound County Road 437 around 9 p.m., when a Kia Soul ran a stop sign while attempting to travel from Central Avenue onto northbound CR 437 and hit the front right side of the moped, the report said.

The Kia drove away from the scene without stopping.

Troopers said the impact of the crash sent Burns and Swisher into the northbound lane of CR 437, where Burns was hit by a Toyota Prius that was unable to stop in time.

Burns died as a result of his injuries. Swisher is in serious condition at Central Florida Regional Hospital. Neither were wearing helmets. FHP spokeswoman Kim Montes said Burns and Swisher were in a romantic relationship.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help with Burns' funeral expenses.

The driver and passenger of the Prius, Peter Brunell, 48, and Alicia Brunell, 42, were not injured, according to FHP.

Richard Jimenez, who works at JR's automotive works, provided FHP with surveillance video of the crash. He said he hoped the hit-and-run driver will step forward.

"(The video was) a little nerve racking. It's pretty bad. I mean, he hit him and you could tell you hit something and just slammed on the gas and took off, and you can see the car go out. You can see it in the video. You will then understand it was horrible to me, it was," Jimenez said.

Troopers were initially looking for a white Kia Soul as the hit-and-run vehicle, but said that after further investigation, they were searching for a 2012 or 2013 grey Soul. The Highway Patrol also said they believe a woman may have been driving the car.

Montes said there have been 18 fatal hit-and-run crashes in the region so far this year: four in Lake County, seven in Orange County, one in Volusia County, two in Seminole County and four in Osceola County.

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run driver or vehicle is asked to call FHP at 407-737-2213.


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