Driver accused of hit-and-run arrested at Brevard County dance studio

INDIALANTIC, Florida – A 24-year-old woman accused of a hit-and-run involving a motorcycle in Brevard County was arrested at a local dance studio.

Police say Rebekah Tate hit the motorcycle with so much force that it pinned her under her car.

The incident happened early Sunday morning and it took several days for West Melbourne police to locate Tate. She was not arrested at the scene as she fled, but officers took her into custody Wednesday at a ballroom dance studio in Indialantic.

West Melbourne police said the crash left behind a mangled motorcycle that was crushed by Tate’s vehicle, leading to a suspected hit-and-run. Witnesses said the driver, John Powell, was seriously injured in the street.

Tate was apprehended at Dancin’ Dance, a studio near A1A. A social media page police say belongs to Tate, listing her as a professional ballroom dancer. In addition to fleeing the scene, Tate is also accused of tampering with evidence before calling for someone to pick her up and leaving the area of ​​U.S. 192 and Dairy Road. Police say the entire incident was captured on nearby surveillance video.

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Friends of the victim, including Leah Lindstrand, who created a GoFundMe campaign for Powell, expressed disbelief at the situation.

“It’s shocking because it’s like you’re young and you already have such a disregard for human life,” Lindstrand said. “It’s just not humane at all.”

We reached out to the dance studio for comment on the arrest, but have not yet heard back. Powell’s GoFundMe fundraiser has raised nearly $5,000 since the accident. Powell reportedly suffered multiple fractures and broken bones and was scheduled to undergo another surgery today.

Authorities have not disclosed how long Powell was on the road before a good Samaritan making a DoorDash delivery discovered him and called 911.

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