Send Hit and Run Suspect in Custody After Hitting Bicyclist

Posted: 7:02 AM Jun 1, 2012
Reporter: Meredith TerHaar

Panama City Beach - A hit and run suspect from Tennessee is in custody after hitting a bicyclist overnight. It happened on Richard Jackson Boulevard just south of Middle Beach Road on Panama City Beach just after 2AM. Police say the bicyclist was heading north on Richard Jackson when he was struck by a white Nissan Altima and the driver took off. Police have identified the driver as Benjamin Weatherford of Tennessee.

The bicyclist suffered a broken leg and was taken to an area hospital. An off duty Panama City officer spotted the suspect's vehicle and initiated the pursuit. Beach Police laid spike strips at Front Beach and Highway 79 and the vehicle came to a stop a short time later. Weatherford was taken into custody and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, fleeing an officer, possession of cannabis and driving without a license.

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