Luis Roncatti, 82, of West Palm Beach, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident without rendering aid after he struck a 13-year-old boy on a bicycle and kept on driving.
Subscribe to Florida Jolt Newsletter!
According to the arrest affidavit filed by the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office, on Feb. 20, deputies responded to a hit-and-run call at around 3:35 p.m. at the Riverside Shopping Plaza, 6802 Forest Hill Blvd. The call concerned a vehicle that left a scene without rendering aid after hitting a 13-year-old boy on his bike.
Witnesses described the vehicle as being a brown Kia Forte. According to the report, Roncatti exited the north side of the Riverside shopping plaza using the entry/exit driveway onto Forest Blvd. The boy was riding his bicycle on the Forest Hill Blvd sidewalk.
Investigators say the boy was crossing the driveway accompanied by a second bicyclist when Roncatti, in his Kia Forte, drove into the crosswalk, made a right-hand turn, and hit the boy, knocking him off the bike.
'Believed he didn't do anything wrong;' driver accused of hitting teen in hit-and-run. WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (CBS12) — The Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office arrested a man for a hit-and-run involving a 13-year-old boy.
Luis Roncatti, 82, https://t.co/oXEHQxsG7Y
— Suzie S (@suziesuchi) February 23, 2023
The boy sustained minor injuries to his leg and was taken by paramedics to Palm West Hospital.
Deputies later stopped Roncatti at Garden Hills Circle and Forest Hill Boulevard.
The State of Florida averaged 103,000 hit-and-runs by hit-and-run vehicles over the past five years, with 1,251 deaths.
“Hit-and-run crashes and fatalities are tragically on the rise in our state – causing devastation to Florida’s families and communities,” said FLHSMV Executive Director, Terry L. Rhodes. “Drivers who choose to flee after being involved in a crash that results in property damage, injury, or death are not just breaking the law – they are displaying a blatant disregard for the life and property of others. Please, stay at the scene and call for help – it could save a life.”
In Roncatti’s statement, deputies say he acknowledged that he hit a juvenile.
“and did not stop because he did not believe he did anything wrong.”
Follow Florida Jolt on Twitter
Deputies arrested Roncatti at 4:54 p.m. on Feb. 20. He was transported to the Palm Beach County Jail without incident. He was charged with Hit and Run- failure to render aid without serious bodily injury. His bond was set at $3,000, and he was released approximately three hours after he arrived when he posted said bond.
Other stories you may want to read:
Florida News Reporter and Nine Year-Old Girl Murdered in Orlando by the Same Suspect
Brazilian Man Dresses as 7-Foot Penis for Carnival – Gets Arrested
- [Video] NYC Baseball Bat Thug Attacks Random Stranger - July 12, 2023
- California Assembly Blocks Child Trafficking Bill - July 12, 2023
- Georgia Mayor Arrested for Burglary – ‘Do You Know Who the F*** I Am’ - July 10, 2023