Bike rider, 70, killed in hit-and-run in Sanford

No details known about vehicle involved in fatal crash

SANFORD, Fla. – A 70-year-old Sanford man who was riding a bike was struck and killed by a vehicle late Thursday night in a hit-and-run crash, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Detectives said Clyde Palmer was riding his bike on State Road 46 when a car hit him on Center Avenue, but it was so dark no one saw where the car went or what it looked like.

"They called me this morning at 3 o'clock and I knew something happened," Louie Palmer said. "I wish I would have done more for ..."

Louie Palmer gets choked up talking about his older brother, Clyde.

"Everybody knew Clyde. They know he was an outgoing person," he said.

The Florida Highway Patrol said the accident happened around 11:30 p.m. Thursday, when a car came up behind Clyde Palmer's bicycle and sent him flying off.

"Where it was at, I said, 'No, that's not Clyde,' because it said fatality on 46, and I was, like, 'No, that's not Clyde. Not out there.' Sure enough, it was," Connie Palmer said.

Connie Palmer said Clyde was known for riding his bike everywhere, and that he had been riding it home that night, but they don't know where he was coming from.

"He always had a bike, if he didn't lose it or get it stolen. He would go get another one," Connie Palmer said.

Louie Palmer told News 6 he wants closure for his brother. He said they just don't understand why the driver wouldn't stop to help.

"For the person that hit him, we're not mad at you. It was an accident and it could of been Clyde's fault. We don't know, but you need to own up to it," Connie Palmer said.

FHP doesn't have a lot of information, saying it was a white car that took off.

Anyone with information about the fatal crash is asked to call Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

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