Search is on for vehicle, driver in hit-and-run that killed motorcyclist in Lehigh Acres

The search is on for an unknown hit-and-run suspect accused of leaving a crash that killed a man. We spoke to a good Samaritan who did what he could the minute he drove by the scene and found the victim alone.

Wednesday night, state troopers responded to a deadly hit-and-run in Lehigh Acres that killed a 29-year-old man riding a motorcycle. Investigators say another vehicle was involved and left the scene.

The crash happened along Joel Boulevard near E 19th St, south of Greenbriar Boulevard. The victim was separated from his motorcycle in the crash and taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“How could somebody leave this guy here?” Russell Johnston said.

It’s a night Johnston will never forget.

“He was in the fetal position,” Johnston said. “I saw his side was rising. He was breathing.”

Johnston was on his way home Wednesday night when he saw debris all over the road. When he realized what happened, he stopped to help.

“The front wheel was just mangled and completely — the tire was off the rim, so you could see the whole front of the bike was twisted,” Johnston said.

FHP has not released a description about the suspect vehicle or the possible suspect. Lt. Greg Bueno told us forensic teams have looked at the motorcycle for clues.

“There’s things that you can see with your naked eye,” Bueno said. “And of course, there’s things that you want to make sure that you’re not missing with your naked eye as well that maybe … you gave a basic example of a paint transfer, of course. Those are going to be things that we’ve already had troopers processing that vehicle, the motorcycle this morning.”

Both Johnston and investigators are hoping someone will come forward if they saw something or know what happened.

“It’s hard for me to say, ‘I know how you feel,” Johnston explained. “I would want [the family] to know someone was here for him during that time.”

Anyone with information on the crash can call Florida Highway Patrol at 239-344-1730 or call SWFL Crime Stoppers at 1-800-780-TIPS (8477).

Florida Highway Patrol no longer releases the names of victims in its crash reports citing Marsy’s Law.