As originally reported on July 2, 2026. Details below are drawn from news reporting and law-enforcement statements available at the time of publication and may have changed since. All charges described are allegations only; the accused is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
The Perazzo Law Firm has learned that a bicyclist was struck and killed in a hit-and-run crash on the Southeast 17th Street Causeway bridge in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, and a driver now faces criminal charges after police say she left the scene, according to local news outlets and Fort Lauderdale police. Reporting by CBS Miami, WSVN 7News, and Local 10 says the crash happened around 6:40 a.m. Thursday in the eastbound bike lane, and that the driver allegedly left the area in an Uber before being located and arrested. Below, we cover what is known — and, more importantly, general Florida law on what hit-and-run victims and their families can do.
Quick Answer: What can a hit-and-run victim in Florida do if the driver fled?
In Florida, a hit-and-run victim — or the family of someone killed — is generally not out of options even when the at-fault driver leaves the scene. First, report the crash to police and get medical care; a police report and prompt treatment help document what happened. Florida is a no-fault state, so your own Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage typically pays initial medical bills regardless of who caused the crash. If the fleeing driver is never identified or turns out to be uninsured, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage on your own auto policy can become a key source of recovery. The separate criminal case against a driver does not pay a victim’s damages; that generally requires a civil claim, which has its own filing deadlines. This is general information, not legal advice.
What reporting and police say happened
According to news coverage and Fort Lauderdale police statements, the following details have been reported. All remain subject to change as the investigation proceeds, and anything not yet confirmed is noted as such.
- When and where: The crash was reported at approximately 6:40 a.m. Thursday in the eastbound protected bicycle lane on the Southeast 17th Street Causeway bridge, near the 2000 block of SE 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, per WSVN and CBS Miami. Eastbound lanes were closed for hours during the investigation.
- The victim: Outlets identified the bicyclist as Shelley Lewis, 68, of Fort Lauderdale, described by relatives as a retired teacher. Reporting says she was riding eastbound when she was struck by a dark-colored vehicle and taken as a trauma alert to Broward Health Medical Center, where she died of her injuries.
- The accused: Police identified the driver as Don Janea Smith, 22. According to Local 10 and CBS Miami, Smith is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. These are allegations; the accused is presumed innocent.
- The rideshare detail: Per the arrest report as described by news outlets, the driver allegedly abandoned the vehicle after the crash, returned to remove items, and then left the area in an Uber. Reporting says police later located the Uber and took the driver into custody.
- Bond: A judge reportedly set bond at $100,000, according to Local 10. News outlets note that additional charges could follow depending on the investigation.
We are not offering any opinion on guilt, innocence, or how the criminal case should be resolved. That is for the courts. What follows is general Florida law that applies to hit-and-run situations broadly.
Leaving the scene of a crash in Florida — the general law
Under Florida law, drivers involved in a crash generally must stop, remain at the scene, and provide information or render aid. Leaving the scene — commonly called “hit-and-run” — can carry escalating consequences depending on whether the crash involved property damage, injury, or death. When a crash results in death, leaving the scene is a serious felony under Florida Statutes Chapter 316. General penalties can include prison time, license revocation, and fines.
Whether any specific set of facts meets the elements of these offenses is a question for prosecutors and, ultimately, a jury. Nothing here should be read as a conclusion about the pending case.
The criminal case vs. the victim’s civil claim — two separate tracks
One of the most common points of confusion after a hit-and-run is the difference between the two legal proceedings that can follow:
The criminal case
The State of Florida prosecutes the driver. The goal is to determine guilt and impose penalties like incarceration, probation, or fines. A victim or surviving family may be a witness, and restitution is sometimes ordered — but the criminal case is not designed to make an injured victim or a grieving family financially whole. A conviction is not required for a civil claim to move forward, and an acquittal does not automatically end a civil claim, because the two systems use different standards of proof.
The civil claim
A separate civil action is generally how an injured victim — or, in a fatal crash, eligible survivors through Florida’s Wrongful Death Act — may seek compensation for things like medical bills, lost income, funeral costs, and other losses recognized by law. This claim is brought against responsible parties and/or through available insurance coverage, not through the criminal court.
Because these tracks are independent, families sometimes wrongly assume that “the case is being handled” simply because criminal charges were filed. In general, protecting civil rights is a distinct step with its own deadlines.
How UM/UIM and PIP coverage matter when a driver flees
A driver who flees may be uninsured, underinsured, or — until identified — effectively unknown. That is exactly the scenario Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is built for.
- PIP (Personal Injury Protection): Florida’s no-fault system means your own PIP generally pays a portion of medical expenses and lost wages after a crash, up to policy limits, regardless of fault. This can matter immediately when an at-fault driver has fled.
- UM/UIM (Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist): If the at-fault driver is never found, or is found to have no insurance or too little, UM/UIM coverage on your own policy — or in some situations a resident relative’s policy — can become a primary avenue of recovery. A hit-and-run is a classic UM scenario.
- Why coverage review matters: Policies differ, and Florida has specific rules about how UM coverage is offered, stacked, and rejected. Reviewing the actual policy language is generally how anyone learns what protection they truly have.
None of this guarantees any particular outcome or amount. Insurance recovery depends on the specific facts, the coverage in place, and the applicable law.
Why quick evidence and witness work matters
In hit-and-run cases, time is often the enemy. Surveillance and doorbell video gets overwritten, debris is cleared, and memories fade. In general, the steps that tend to preserve a victim’s options include:
- Calling 911 and getting a police report started
- Seeking prompt medical evaluation, even if injuries seem minor at first
- Photographing the scene, vehicles, and injuries when it is safe to do so
- Identifying witnesses and any nearby cameras (businesses, traffic, residential)
- Keeping records of medical care, expenses, and time missed from work
Fast documentation does not just help a criminal investigation; it can also preserve the evidence a civil claim may later depend on.
What to do after a hit-and-run in Florida (general checklist)
- Get safe and call 911. Report the crash and request medical help if anyone is hurt.
- Do not chase the fleeing driver. Note whatever you safely can — color, make, direction of travel, partial plate.
- Document everything. Photos, video, and witness contact information.
- Report to your insurer and ask specifically about PIP and UM/UIM coverage.
- Watch the deadlines. Florida’s civil filing deadlines are governed by statute, and insurance policies contain their own notice requirements.
- Consider a professional review of both the insurance coverage and any potential civil claim.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover compensation if the driver fled the scene?
Potentially, yes. In Florida, a fleeing or unidentified driver does not automatically end a victim’s options. Your own PIP coverage generally applies regardless of fault, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage is specifically designed for hit-and-run and uninsured-driver situations. Whether and how much you can recover depends on the facts, the coverage in place, and applicable law. This is general information, not a promise of any outcome.
How does UM/UIM coverage help after a hit-and-run?
UM/UIM coverage sits on your own auto policy and is meant to protect you when the at-fault driver has no insurance, too little insurance, or cannot be identified. Because a hit-and-run driver is often unknown or uninsured, UM/UIM frequently becomes a central source of potential recovery. Reviewing the specific policy language is generally how anyone confirms what coverage they actually have.
Does the criminal case pay my medical bills or losses?
Generally, no. The criminal case is brought by the State to determine guilt and impose penalties like prison, probation, or fines. Courts sometimes order restitution, but the criminal process is not designed to fully compensate an injured victim or a grieving family. Compensation is generally pursued through a separate civil claim and available insurance coverage.
What should I do first after a hit-and-run in Florida?
Get to safety, call 911, and seek medical care even if you feel okay. Document the scene, gather witness information, and note anything you safely observed about the fleeing vehicle. Then report the crash to your own insurer and ask about PIP and UM/UIM coverage. Prompt documentation helps both the police investigation and any later civil claim.
How long do I have to file a claim in Florida?
The Bicycle accident lawyer, Jonathan Perazzo, understands that Florida sets deadlines (statutes of limitations) for filing civil claims, and they can differ for injury versus wrongful-death cases. Insurance policies also impose their own, often shorter, notice deadlines. Because missing a deadline can bar a claim entirely, the specific timeline for any situation should be confirmed based on its facts. This FAQ is general information and not legal advice about any particular case.
Get help or learn more
If you or a loved one was hurt — or worse — in a hit-and-run in Broward County or elsewhere in South Florida, you can learn more about our practice areas and how a personal injury lawyer can help, or contact our office with questions. Reviewing your rights costs nothing to start, and understanding your insurance coverage early can matter.
Sources: CBS Miami; WSVN 7News; Local 10; Yahoo News / Sun Sentinel. Facts attributed to these outlets and to Fort Lauderdale police statements as reported.
Disclaimers. This article is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Reading it or contacting our firm does not create an attorney-client relationship. Every case is different, and no result is guaranteed; past results do not predict future outcomes. All criminal charges referenced are allegations only, and every accused person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. We express no opinion on the guilt or innocence of any individual. This is attorney advertising. Details reported by news outlets and law enforcement reflect coverage available at original publication and may have changed since.