Arrest made in fatal 2023 hit-and-run crash, FHP says
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. —
The Florida Highway Patrol announced Friday that an arrest had been made in a fatal 2023 hit-and-run crash out of Orange County.
Zachariah Newkirk, 35, faces a charge of leaving the scene of a crash involving death. He was being held on a $20,000 bond at the time of this report, records show.
The crash occurred around 3:43 a.m. Aug. 30, 2023, at West Sand Lake Road and South John Young Parkway, troopers said.
According to an FHP crash report, a 2020 Kia Sedona that Newkirk is accused of driving was traveling eastbound on West Sand Lake Road, approaching the intersection of South John Young Parkway in the outside left turn lane, as a 2010 Nissan Altima traveled westbound on State Road 482, approaching the intersection with South John Young Parkway in the outside lane.
Newkirk allegedly tried to make a left turn to travel northbound on South John Young Parkway and entered the direct path of the Nissan, striking it with the Kia, the report states.
The impact caused the Nissan to run off the roadway and onto the raised grass median, where it struck a pedestrian traffic control signal, troopers said. Newkirk is accused of then running away from the crash.
The driver of the Nissan — a 48-year-old Orlando man — was pronounced dead at the scene, according to FHP.