Published: July 30, 2008 05:09 pm            

Driver, passengers flee after collision

Pickup slams into car, injuring Mayo man

A Mayo man suffered minor injuries in a two-vehicle crash near First United Methodist Church on July 22, according to Florida Highway Patrol reports. The occupants of the other vehicle were unhurt and fled the scene, said FHP.

According to reports, Harry F. Koon, 79, was traveling north on SR 51 in a 1998 Buick LeSabre when an unidentified driver on SW Park Street pulled into his path while attempting to cross SR 51.

The right front of the unknown driver’s 1996 Dodge truck struck the left front side of Koon’s car, forcing it through shrubbery and into a road sign before the car struck the First United Methodist Church building.

The Dodge rotated counterclockwise and came to rest facing northeast in the northbound lane of SR 51. When the vehicle came to rest, the driver and both passengers - Mayo residents Mario Hernandez-Garcia, 27, and Eladio Garcia, 37 - fled the scene on foot, according to FHP.

Koon was transported by Lafayette EMS to Shands UF. Each vehicle suffered $8,000 in damage, according to FHP. The crash occurred at about 2:20 p.m.

Lafayette County Sheriff’s Office personnel, Lafayette Emergency Medical Services and the Florida Highway Patrol responded. FHP Trooper Jesse R. Moore conducted the investigation, which is ongoing.

        

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