SARASOTA COUNTY, Fla. — A man who repeatedly went on the run after being involved in a deadly hit-and-run crash in Sarasota County has now been convicted for his crimes, Florida Highway Patrol said Saturday in a release.
FHP troopers said their investigation began around 8:15 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2021, after they received a call about a deadly hit-and-run crash at the interchange of Laurel Road and Interstate 75 in Sarasota County.
According to FHP, then-46-year-old Robert Knowlton of Nokomis was driving his pickup truck east on Laurel Road in the left lane approaching the northbound I-75 exit ramp. As he was driving, Knowlton didn't stop for the red traffic light and went through the interchange as two other vehicles were turning left onto westbound Laurel Road.
As a result, Knowlton's pickup truck hit another pickup truck, driven by a 52-year-old Nokomis man, and a car driven by a 64-year-old man from Miami.
The 52-year-old man died at the scene and the 64-year-old was seriously hurt.
Knowlton ran away from the deadly crash on foot.
During their investigation, troopers said they learned Knowlton was fleeing an earlier crash when he caused the deadly hit-and-run. Troopers said they located Knowlton days later, arrested him for leaving the scene with death and booked him into the Sarasota County Jail.
Not long after, Knowlton was released on bond. Troopers said Knowlton immediately went on the run again following his bond release.
FHP troopers, with help from the U.S. Marshals Office, were able to track Knowlton to a motel in Charlotte County and take him back into custody and book him back into jail.
Fast forward to Jan. 26, 2024 — following a 4-day jury trial, Knowlton was found guilty on the following charges:
- Vehicular homicide
- Leaving the scene with death
- Driver while license suspended causing death
- Reckless driving with serious bodily injuries
- Driving while license suspending with serious bodily injuries
- Leaving the scene with serious bodily injuries
- Leaving the scene with property damage (three counts)
