Update:
Police reopened the northbound lanes of Indian River Boulevard following an overnight, fatal crash where a driver struck a pedestrian and kept traveling before being stopped by officers. Vero Beach police closed the roadway for a little more than nine hours before opening the lanes to traffic about 11:35 a.m. Sunday.
Earlier story:
VERO BEACH — A man was struck and killed overnight by a motorist who police said drove away from the scene but was located soon after. The fatal wreck led officers to close Indian River Boulevard just south of the Merrill P. Barber Bridge.
“Originally it was a hit-and-run, but the vehicle was caught by police moments later,” said Kelsea Marty, spokesperson with the Vero Beach Police Department. It was not immediately known if any arrests were made.
Police closed Indian River Boulevard between the bridge and the Royal Palm Pointe intersections. Motorists will need to travel from the north using Indian River Boulevard to reach the bridge, officers said.
“Road closures are expected for several more hours,” Marty said. “Drivers should avoid the area.”
Police could not release the type of vehicle involved since the crash remains an active investigation.
The wreck happened about 2:18 a.m. Sunday near the westbound base of the bridge. Marty said the man was walking when he was struck by the vehicle.
The man was pronounced dead at the scene, Indian River County Fire Chief David Rattray said. Police located the vehicle two miles north in the 4700 block of Indian River Boulevard, not long after the collision, Marty said.
Officers put up road closure signs and marked off the crash site with yellow crime scene tape. Police placed evidence markers along the northbound lanes of Indian River Boulevard, just south of the bridge, and combed the area.
The deadly crash remains under investigation. No further information was immediately available.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
