The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the hit-and-run death of a former Holmes Beach resident.
Anthony C. Galanopoulos, 45, was riding his bicycle at about 3:30 a.m. Jan. 9 when a pickup truck, southbound on 15th Street East at Bio-Tech Way in Bradenton, struck him from behind, according to an FHP report.
The pickup truck driver left the scene of the crash and failed to render aid, the report stated.
FHP public affairs officer Lt. Gregory S. Bueno said Jan. 12 there were no suspects.
The suspect’s vehicle is believed to be 2004-09 Ford F150 having damage to the right headlight, according to the FHP.
Anyone with information on the Jan. 9 hit-and-run is asked to call the FHP at 239-938-1800 or Cpl. James Wilmeth at 941-751-8357.
New law toughens hit-and-run penalties
Leaving the scene of an accident without calling authorities has been a problem statewide, with some 70,000 hit-and-runs annually, according to FHP public affairs officer Lt. Gregory S. Bueno.
In 2015, the FHP will initiate a campaign to prevent future hit-and-runs and educate the public about the severe penalties, he said.
Effective July 1, 2014, Gov. Rick Scott signed into law the Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act, imposing a new four-year, mandatory-minimum prison term for a driver convicted of leaving a fatal crash.
The new law added a three-year minimum driver license revocation for those convicted of the crime.