Mom remains hospitalized weeks after Cocoa hit-and-run; suspected driver still at-large
2 people severely injured by hit-and-run driver
A couple on a first date in Cocoa were driving when another car hit them, causing them to hit a man and a woman. The Florida Highway Patrol is looking for the driver, but an arrest hasn't been made after weeks.
COCOA, Fla. - A mother remains hospitalized following a hit-and-run accident in Cocoa last month.
No arrests have been made in the case, according to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP).
The backstory:
The crash happened Saturday night, Oct. 25, at the intersection of Clearlake Road and State Road 520 in Cocoa, according to the FHP. Investigators said the motorcyclist was turning when another vehicle hit the bike and sped away, leaving both victims in the roadway.
One of the victims, identified by family as Sherry Rickards, remains hospitalized with life-altering injuries. She suffered a brain bleed, small stroke and several leg injuries because of the crash on Oct. 25.
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FHP officials said they received a tip about the vehicle involved in the crash and have taken it into custody as part of the investigation. The driver has not been identified, and the case remains active with no arrest weeks later.
What they're saying:
Sherry’s friends and family are fundraising for her and trying to support her four sons and one grandson.
"It just blows my mind that anybody has no heart – just to leave these people on the road like that," said Taryn McGee, who’s a close family friend and knows the hit-and-run victim.
Sherry is known as the rock of the family, so the tragedy is devastating.
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"It’s been hard just because I know the family, and they’re devastated. Seeing her like that, it seems unreal. It really does," said McGee.
The family has an online fundraiser to support Sherry and her family. They’re also hosting a benefit at Salty Sisters Bar and Grill on Dec. 12 from 2 to 5 p.m.
What you can do:
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the Florida Highway Patrol or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).
The Source: FOX 35 Reporter Esther Bower first covered the accident when she learned who the male victim was. Now, she met friends who knew the second victim and interviewed them. She reached out to FHP via email two times for an update since the initial accident information came out.