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2 dead after hit-and-run crash in Palm Bay; troopers find semi-truck driver that fled scene

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Published  May 2, 2025 11:03am EDT
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FOX 35 Orlando
Suspect in Palm Bay hit-and-run crash makes first appearance

Suspect in Palm Bay hit-and-run crash makes first appearance

Hassan Ali is facing two counts of hit-and-run involving death.

The Brief

    • A deadly hit-and-run crash shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Palm Bay on Friday morning.
    • Officials said two surveyors were killed in the crash.
    • Troopers have now located and arrested the semi-truck driver who they said fled the scene of the crash.

PALM BAY, Fla. - A deadly hit-and-run crash shut down the southbound lanes of Interstate 95 in Palm Bay on Friday morning, the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) says. 

Troopers say they have now located and arrested the semi-truck driver who fled the scene of the crash that killed two surveyors. The man has been identified as 36-year-old Hassan Abdirahman Sheikh Ali of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ali is facing two counts of hit-and-run involving death.

2 dead after Palm Bay crash

What we know:

Troopers said the hit-and-run crash took place around 9:50 a.m. on Friday on I-95 southbound at Mile Marker 172 in Brevard County.

Officials said a 2021 Freightliner Cascadia was traveling southbound in the area while a 2023 Ram 1500 was parked on the right grassy shoulder. 

Two surveyors were walking on the shoulder when authorities said the Cascadia ran off the roadway and hit the Ram. The Cascadia continued traveling on the grassy shoulder and struck the two surveyors.

Officials said the two people, a 22-year-old man and a 41-year-old man, died upon impact. However, the passenger in the Ram was not injured and remained at the scene.

FHP said the driver of the Cascadia fled the scene, but they were able to locate and arrest them a few hours later on I-95 near Mile Marker 45 (Palm Beach County).

What we don't know:

It is currently unclear what led the Cascadia to run off the roadway. 

What's next:

Authorities said the crash currently remains a very active criminal investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back later for more updates.

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The Source: This story was written based on information shared by the Florida Highway Patrol in an email and crash report on May 2, 2025.

TrafficCrime and Public SafetyBrevard CountyPalm Bay