FHP arrests man they say ran over Leesburg bicyclist, fled scene

Victim ID'd as Antwan Bailey

(Photo courtesy of FHP)

LEESBURG, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol arrested a 26-year old man Friday night who was accused of was running over a bicyclist Thursday evening in a hit-and-run crash in Lake County, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

The FHP said Antwan Bailey, of Umatilla, died in the crash, which was reported at 6:40 p.m. on County Road 452 at Little Horse Drive.

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Troopers said Bailey was walking a bicycle on CR 452 when he was struck by a 2006 Hyundai SUV driven by a 41-year-old Sorrento woman who was trying to pass a truck. The FHP said she stopped after the crash, but Matthew Downing, of Ocala, ran over Bailey and fled the scene.

The driver of the SUV was not injured. Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene, troopers said.

Witnesses described Downing's vehicle as a small red car with possible damage to its front end or undercarriage, troopers said.

Troopers arrested Downing in Eustis around 10:40 p.m. Friday, and charged with a first-degree felony of leaving the scene of a crash involving death, the Highway Patrol said. Downing is scheduled to go before a judge March 6.

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