Driver Arrested After Hit-and-Run Injures Pedestrians on Duval Street in Key West

A driver was arrested after police say a hit-and-run crash on Duval Street in Key West injured two pedestrians and another driver Monday night.

The incident occurred in the 200 block of Duval Street at Greene Street, according to Key West Police.

Police said the driver of a black Toyota SUV struck two pedestrians who were in the crosswalk. The driver allegedly attempted to flee but lost control of the SUV while accelerating, struck two parked vehicles and overturned onto its side.

Key West Fire Rescue treated the two pedestrians at the scene. The driver of another vehicle involved in the incident was transported to Lower Keys Medical Center for treatment.

The Toyota driver, whose identity was not released in the initial report, was arrested on charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries and reckless driving.

The charges are allegations, and an arrest does not establish guilt.

What Happened on Duval Street in Key West?

According to Key West Police, the collision occurred Monday night in the 200 block of Duval Street near its intersection with Greene Street.

Police said two pedestrians were in the crosswalk when they were struck by a black Toyota SUV.

Authorities allege that the SUV driver then attempted to leave the scene.

While accelerating away, the driver reportedly lost control of the Toyota and struck two parked vehicles.

The SUV ultimately overturned onto its side.

Three People Were Treated or Hospitalized

Key West Fire Rescue responded following the collision.

The two pedestrians were treated at the scene. The available report does not describe their injuries or indicate whether either required additional medical treatment.

Another driver involved in the incident was transported to Lower Keys Medical Center.

Police did not provide additional information about that person’s condition.

Driver Accused of Leaving the Scene

Key West Police arrested the Toyota driver following the crash.

The driver was booked into jail on charges that include leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries and reckless driving.

Florida Statute § 316.027 generally requires a driver involved in a crash resulting in injury to stop at or as close as possible to the scene and remain there while fulfilling applicable legal duties.

Those duties can include providing identifying information and rendering reasonable assistance to injured people.

Whether the accused driver violated the statute will ultimately depend on the evidence and the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Florida Law Requires Drivers to Exercise Care Around Pedestrians

Police specifically reported that the two pedestrians were in the crosswalk at Greene Street when they were struck.

Florida Statute § 316.130 establishes several rules governing interactions between motorists and pedestrians.

The precise duties of a driver and pedestrian at a particular crosswalk can depend on factors such as traffic signals, signs and the circumstances immediately before the collision.

The available report does not provide information about the traffic signal or right-of-way conditions at the intersection when the pedestrians were struck.

Those details could become important in determining exactly how the initial collision occurred.

Alleged Attempt to Flee Led to Additional Collisions

According to police, the incident did not end when the pedestrians were struck.

Authorities allege that the driver attempted to flee, accelerated, lost control of the Toyota SUV and struck two parked vehicles before overturning.

That sequence could create separate questions concerning the injuries and property damage caused after the initial pedestrian collision.

Investigators may need to determine precisely when each impact occurred and which injuries or damages resulted from each portion of the incident.

Criminal Charges Are Separate From Potential Civil Claims

The driver’s arrest may result in a criminal case, but criminal prosecution and civil liability are separate legal matters.

Prosecutors would need to establish the elements of the criminal charges pursued against the driver.

People injured in the incident may separately have potential civil claims if evidence establishes that the driver’s conduct caused their injuries.

A criminal conviction is not required in every circumstance for an injured person to pursue a civil claim.

Hit-and-Run Crashes Can Create Multiple Sources of Evidence

Because the collision occurred on Duval Street, investigators may examine evidence from the surrounding area to reconstruct what happened.

Potential evidence may include:

• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses
• Traffic or intersection camera footage
• Cellphone video from witnesses
• Witness statements
• Photographs and measurements from the crash scene
• Damage to the Toyota SUV and parked vehicles
• Vehicle event data
• Tire marks and roadway debris
• 911 and emergency response records
• Medical documentation of the injuries
• Traffic signal information, if applicable

Video evidence could be particularly important in determining the movements of the SUV and pedestrians immediately before the initial collision and documenting the events that followed.

What Legal Options May Injured Pedestrians Have?

Pedestrians injured in motor vehicle collisions may potentially pursue compensation when evidence establishes that a driver’s negligence or wrongful conduct caused their injuries.

Potential damages can depend on the severity of the injuries and other circumstances and may include medical expenses, lost income and other losses recognized under Florida law.

Insurance coverage can become more complicated in pedestrian crashes, particularly when several people or vehicles are involved.

The two pedestrians’ injuries have not been described beyond the fact that they received treatment at the scene, so the extent of any potential claims is not yet known.

Florida’s Comparative Fault Law May Apply to Injury Claims

Florida Statute § 768.81 can affect how responsibility and damages are addressed when evidence establishes that multiple parties contributed to an injury.

However, police reported that the pedestrians were in a crosswalk when they were struck, and the available information does not identify any conduct by the pedestrians as contributing to the collision.

Additional evidence concerning the traffic signals and movements of everyone involved would be necessary before reaching conclusions about civil responsibility.

Property Damage May Also Be Part of the Case

In addition to the injuries, police reported that the Toyota struck two parked vehicles while the driver was allegedly attempting to leave.

Owners of damaged vehicles may potentially have property damage claims depending on the circumstances and available insurance coverage.

Investigators may also examine whether the driver of the other vehicle who was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center was injured during one of these subsequent impacts.

The initial report does not provide enough detail to determine exactly how that person became involved.

Investigation Into the Key West Hit-and-Run Continues

Key West Police are investigating the Monday night incident in the 200 block of Duval Street at Greene Street.

Authorities said a black Toyota SUV struck two pedestrians in a crosswalk before the driver attempted to flee.

Police allege that the driver accelerated, lost control, struck two parked vehicles and overturned the SUV.

The two pedestrians were treated at the scene, while another driver was transported to Lower Keys Medical Center.

The Toyota driver was arrested on charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving injuries and reckless driving. The driver’s name was not released in the initial report, and the charges remain allegations unless proven in court.

We hope everyone injured receives the care they need and is able to make a full recovery.