80-year-old involved in Clearwater hit-and-run dies, more charges expected
Related video: Port Richey man hits 80-year-old on mobility scooter, didn’t stop because he was late for work: police
CLEARWATER, Fla. (WFLA) — An 80-year-old man involved in a hit-and-run crash in Clearwater has died, the city announced Wednesday.
Ernest Coluzzi was on a mobility scooter near Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard on Tuesday when he was hit by 37-year-old Kris Paterson, the Clearwater Police Department said.
Paterson is accused of dragging the scooter under his truck for half a mile before stopping, removing the scooter from under the truck, and then leaving the scene.
Police said Paterson told officials he was late for work and that is why he did not stop.
Paterson was booked into the Pinellas County Jail and charged with leaving the scene of a crash with serious injury.
Clearwater Police said it expects the Pinellas-Pasco State Attorney’s Office will file upgraded charges against Paterson now that Coluzzi has passed.
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