TAMPA, Fla. – Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) troopers have arrested a 34-year-old Tampa man accused of striking a bicyclist with his SUV and fleeing the scene, leaving the victim to die on the roadside.
Authorities located the suspect, identified as Lijah Ibin Muhammad-Roomes, at his residence on West Ohio Avenue late Saturday. According to FHP, troopers also recovered the vehicle involved in the crash, a 2001 Honda Passport.
The deadly collision occurred on U.S. 92, just east of Mobile Villa Drive. Investigators say a vehicle traveling westbound drifted onto the shoulder of the highway, colliding with a 38-year-old man from Nicaragua who was riding his bicycle.
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The driver did not stop to render aid. While witness descriptions initially looked for a silver or dark-colored mid-sized SUV, investigators were able to track the Honda Passport to Muhammad-Roomes’ home.
The bicyclist suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Muhammad-Roomes was taken into custody and faces a charge of Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Crash.
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