POINCIANA, Fla. — An 11-year-old child is recovering at the hospital after they were hit early Tuesday by an SUV, the Polk County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.
Deputies say Pierre Jacinthe, 66, was responsible for the crash and has turned himself in to authorities.
The crash happened around 8 a.m. at the intersection of Cedar Side Drive and Rio Grande Canyon Loop in Poinciana. After the 11-year-old was hit, deputies said Jacinthe drove off and didn't stay at the crash site.
The child's leg was broken, and they were rushed to the hospital to receive treatment for their injuries but is expected to make a full recovery.
Jacinthe reportedly told deputies that he hit the child by accident, panicked and drove away. He then hid in his car in the garage at his home where authorities later located it.
The 61-year-old was arrested and is charged with leaving the scene of a crash with injuries and tampering with evidence.
"I've said it before, if you are involved in a crash, stop and call law enforcement," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement. "Leaving the scene of a crash is unacceptable. Thankfully, the 11-year-old should make a full recovery, but the driver now faces felony charges. If he would have just remained at the scene, he might not have been charged with two felonies."
Deputies say the investigation of the crash remains ongoing.
