A married couple has been arrested for their alleged involvement in a hit-and-run crash in Seminole County that claimed the life of a bicyclist.
The fatal collision occurred at around 9:45 p.m. on Saturday, August 16, near the intersection of U.S. Highway 17-92 and Spartan Drive, according to a report from the Florida Highway Patrol.
The bicyclist, identified as a 25-year-old Winter Springs man, was heading northbound on U.S. Highway 17-92, south of the Spartan Drive intersection, within the marked bicycle lane.
A witness told FHP troopers that a vehicle entered the northbound lanes of U.S. Highway 17-92 from State Road 414. Moments later, the vehicle traveled onto the northbound lanes before entering the direct path of the bicycle, according to the report.
The front section of the vehicle proceeded to strike the bicycle. After the collision, the occupants of the vehicle fled in a northbound direction on U.S. Highway 17-92.
The bicyclist sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The report mentioned that he was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident.
Based on evidence and witness statements, FHP investigators began searching for a BMW SUV that likely sustained damage to its front section, including a broken headlight, damage to the hood and undercarriage, and possibly a broken windshield.
On Sunday, August 17, FHP located a 2016 BMW X6 that was believed to be the vehicle involved in the hit-and-run collision.
Three days later, FHP announced that a married couple from Casselberry, identified as 37-year-old Christopher Eric Canet and 39-year-old Belkis Rodriguez, was arrested for leaving the scene of the crash involving a death.
According to FHP, Canet was allegedly driving the vehicle at the time of the hit-and-run collision and his wife, Rodriguez, was a passenger.
Canet and Rodriguez were both booked into Seminole County Jail, where they are currently being held without bond.
The investigation into this deadly crash remains active, according to FHP.