BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Telegraph Staff Writer
STARKE— A Keystone Heights woman was sentenced to five years’ probation after pleading to hitting a bicyclist in Hampton and fleeing the scene.
Kaylin Leigh Wright, 21, pleaded to the Feb. 22 offense of failure to stop after a crash involving serious injury.
In an arrest report, Bradford Deputy Brian Haddock noted that the victim was struck as he was peddling near the Hampton Sunoco.
“Upon my arrival, I observed the victim…who is autistic and can’t speak, lying on the ground beside his damaged bicycle,” wrote Haddock. “After acquiring a vehicle description from the witness…who observed the suspect’s vehicle strike the victim and flee the area hastily, I endeavored to locate the vehicle in the area, with negative results.”
The deputy added that after returning to the Sunoco, the witness pointed out a passing car that he said was the vehicle that had earlier struck the cyclist.
“Deputy Malley, who was assisting on this call, conducted a traffic stop and made contact with (Wright),” wrote Haddock. “Per Deputy Malley, the suspect spontaneously conceded to striking the victim on his bicycle and fleeing the scene. Moreover, Deputy Malley advised that there
was damage to the front of the suspect’s vehicle.”
The victim was transported to HCA Starke Emergency due to possible injuries.
Judge James M. Colaw also suspended the defendant’s driver’s license for three years, ordered Wright to attend a driver improvement course and serve 120 hours of community service. The judge scheduled a restitution hearing for Aug. 16.
