Troopers are still trying to track down the driver of a tractor-trailer who killed two people, as they attempted to change a tire on the Florida Turnpike near mile marker 166, on Monday evening.
Robert Bates, 68, of Sanford, has been named a person of interest in the hit and run crash that killed Mariah A. King, 19, and Vincent T. Mathews, 24.
King and Mathews were attempting to change a tire on a PT Cruiser when they were struck by a tractor-trailer. Bates is believed to have been the driver of that tractor trailer. He never stopped to assist.
King and Mathews were pronounced dead at the scene.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators said, they spoke with an attorney on Tuesday who claimed to represent Bates, but there has been no further contact today with the attorney.
Troopers said, Bates is still considered a person of interest in the hit and run crash. The tractor Bates was driving at the time is described as a dark-colored 2006 Peterbuilt with right front damage with an Illinois license tag of P769293 and a truck number 13335 on the left and right front of the vehicle. The trailer is a Benson flatbed with an Illinois license tag of T495080.
If anyone has information about the tractor-trailer or Mr. Bates, they are urged to contact Corporal Robert Ruiz from the Florida Highway Patrol at 772-467-3703 Ext 3126 or email at [email protected] or contact their local Crime Stoppers.
