HENDRY COUNTY, Fla. — A Winter Haven man has been taken into custody more than two months after investigators say he fled the scene of a fatal hit-and-run crash, only to later attempt to sell the incriminating vehicle on Facebook Marketplace.
Christian Joel Miguel Leon, 30, was arrested on September 8 in Polk County. He now faces serious felony charges, including leaving the scene of a crash involving death and obstructing justice through the tampering of evidence.
The tragic incident occurred on June 28 along U.S. Route 27 in Hendry County. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), Miguel Leon was driving a 1999 Ford Ranger pickup truck eastbound near Francisco Street when he struck a male pedestrian attempting to cross the roadway. The impact was fatal, and the victim was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders.
Rather than remaining at the site of the collision to assist or contact authorities, investigators say Miguel Leon fled the area immediately. He reportedly drove the damaged Ford Ranger to an RV park in Polk County, where he attempted to dispose of the vehicle by listing it for sale on Facebook Marketplace.
The brazen attempt to offload the truck did not go unnoticed by law enforcement. FHP troopers acted quickly, tracking the vehicle to its location in Polk County. The pickup truck was seized and impounded by investigators on June 29, just one day after the fatal crash.
Following an extensive investigation into the incident, authorities located Miguel Leon over two months later. He was booked into the Polk County Jail, where he is currently being held as the legal proceedings move forward.
The case has drawn significant attention due to the suspect’s alleged efforts to hide his involvement by attempting to sell the evidence of the crime on a public social media platform. The Florida Highway Patrol has maintained a focus on the case throughout the summer, utilizing forensic evidence and witness reports to connect the suspect to the scene.
As the investigation concludes and the case shifts to the judicial system, authorities continue to emphasize the importance of remaining at the scene of a traffic accident. Leaving the scene of a crash involving a fatality is a severe offense in the state of Florida, carrying significant prison time and legal consequences.
Further details regarding upcoming court appearances for Miguel Leon have not yet been released. Officials are encouraging anyone with additional information related to the June 28 collision to contact the Florida Highway Patrol.
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