Manatee County, FL : Driver arrested after fatal hit-run crash in Manatee County on Wednesday, 26th February, 2020

A driver was arrested Wednesday night in Manatee County following a hit-and-run crash that killed a moped rider, the Florida Highway Patrol reports.

According to the FHP, Osvin Velasquez Varela, 37, of Bradenton was driving a Ford F-150 pickup south on 9th Street East at about 11:25 p.m. A moped driven by Ralphie Cornier Moreno, 36, of Bradenton was heading north on 9th Street East.

The Ford attempted to turn left onto 301 Boulevard and the truck and moped collided in the intersection.

Moreno was fatally injured. It is not known if he was wearing a helmet.

The Ford continued east on 301 Boulevard and pulled into a business at 5004 301 Blvd. E. A Manatee County Sheriff’s Office deputy followed the debris trail and found the Ford and Varela, who was arrested on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death, not having a valid driver’s license and having no insurance.

Neither Varela nor a 33-year-old female passenger in the Ford were hurt. It is not known if there were wearing seat belts.

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