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DeLAND - A man with a suspended driver's license faces charges for allegedly driving a sport utility vehicle that ran down and killed a teenage skateboarder, then sped off without stopping.
"I hit him, and I went home," Wendall Maxwell, 24, of DeLand said after he was arrested, according to Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Melvin Lane.
The Isuzu Rodeo struck Aaron Klothe, 14, a few blocks from his home about 5 p.m. Wednesday. Troopers said Maxwell was traveling at high speed where the posted speed limit is 30 mph.
Debris from the collision helped lead authorities to Maxwell Thursday. He is charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death and violation of probation out of Pinellas County for burglary and assault and grand-theft auto convictions.
$60.9-million judgment for brain damage at birth
HIALEAH - A federal judge awarded $60.9-million to a couple whose son suffered severe brain damage when he was born in a Jacksonville Navy hospital two years ago.
The award this week for Raiza Bravo and Oscar Rodriguez is believed to be the largest ever under the Federal Tort Claims Act, which allows private citizens to sue the federal government for the negligent conduct of its employees.
Kevin Bravo Rodriguez, now 2, cannot see, speak or swallow, move his arms or legs or respond to any stimulus except pain. Doctors say he will not live past age 21.
His parents, Raiza Bravo and Oscar Rodriguez, a Navy serviceman, claimed doctors waited too long to deliver their son by caesarean section at the Mayport Naval Station obstetric clinic.
Coast Guard finds boaters after 14-hour search
NEW SMYRNA BEACH - Four missing fishermen were found by the Coast Guard Friday morning, clinging to the hull of their capsized boat.
The men and the 19-foot Cobia were found about 10:15 a.m., 25 miles off Ormond Beach, after a 14-hour search, Coast Guard Petty Officer Bobby Nash said.
Tran Troung, Donald Englert, Duk Nguyen and a fourth man whose name was not available left the New Smyrna Beach municipal boat ramp Thanksgiving morning and were expected back about 1:30 p.m. The Coast Guard began searching Thursday night.