ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver of a vehicle accused of striking an 11-year-old boy riding an electric scooter before leaving the scene Sunday afternoon in Orange County.
According to FHP, the crash happened along the 14000 block of East Colonial Drive near Waterford Lakes.
Eleven-year-old Josiah Marin said he was riding his e-scooter to a nearby Family Dollar to get a snack when he was hit near the entrance to a pet boarding business.
“I look up and see the car in front of me and thought, ‘Oh my God, I just got hit by a car,’” Josiah said.
He said he had slowed down after dirt got into his eye.
“I kind of slowed down in front of him because I had to wipe my eye because dirt got in, and as I wiped my eye, I got hit and I just don’t know what happened,” he said.
Josiah said he was in shock after the collision and that his vision became blurry. He said the driver asked if he was hurt before leaving the scene.
“I was like maybe it’s dislocated or it’s broken. I don’t know, so I go turn back to call for help, but he’s gone by then,” Josiah said.
His father, Raymond Marin, said received a phone call that his son had been hit.
Josiah was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where he was treated for multiple injuries, including a broken humerus, according to his family.
“Even the doctor was like, ‘How fast was this guy going because he got hit hard,’” Raymond said.
FHP said the investigation remains active and troopers are working to identify and locate the driver.
Josiah’s family said they want the driver held accountable.
“When you are out there driving, anybody can make a mistake. But at this point, this guy should have stayed. At least wait for an adult,” Raymond said.
Despite the injuries, the family said they are grateful the crash was not more serious.
“Once he is able to, I don’t know how long that is going to take, oh yeah I’m going to be on it. No e-bike for a little while,” Raymond said.
Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol or Crimeline. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Crimeline.