Arrests made in death of Oviedo teen killed in hit-and-run, deputies say

Suspect's father also faces multiple charges

OVIEDO, Fla. – Seminole County deputies arrested a man Saturday in the death of a 16-year-old Oviedo boy who was found pinned under a vehicle earlier this month, deputies said.

Nelson Strohaker was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run that killed Christopher Johnson.

Deputies said an investigation revealed that Johnson and Strohaker were acquaintances and had planned to meet the night of the crash. Johnson had walked to the location where they agreed to meet when Strohaker arrived in a blue minivan, deputies said.

The two had interacted just before Strohaker struck and ran over Johnson and then ran away, deputies said.
Johnson was pinned under the minivan and taken to a hospital, where he later died, according to the Seminole County Sheriff's Office.

Johnson’s death still weighs heavily on the minds of his former Hagerty High School classmates. Many have been adding to a roadside memorial where the crash took place.

People said Johnson should not have died, no matter the circumstances.

"It makes me feel happy a person is locked up so it doesn't happen to other people," a student said.​

A warrant was issued for Strohaker's arrest Thursday, deputies said, adding that they tried numerous times to locate Strohaker, but he avoided contact with law enforcement.

On Saturday night, deputies said they were patrolling the area of State Road 436 and Ronald Reagan Boulevard in Altamonte Springs when they conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle they believed Strohaker was in at the time.

Strohaker's father, Robert Strohaker, was driving the vehicle, which contained drugs, deputies said.

Deputies arrested Nelson Strohaker and charged him with felony murder, leaving the scene of a crash involving a death, possession of drug equipment and possession of marijuana, the Sheriff's Office said.

Robert Strohaker also was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact, possession of a controlled substance, driving with a suspended license, possession of drug equipment and possession of drugs without a prescription, deputies said.

Both men were booked at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility, deputies said.

Robert Strohaker was released after posting $6,750 bail.

Nelson Strohaker is being held without the option to post bail, deputies said.​


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