Filmed: Driver wanted for leaving scene of crash with injuries in Broward

MIAMI – Police detectives are searching for a driver who hit a woman riding an electric bike, helped her up and then fled to Fort Lauderdale.

Authorities said it happened shortly before 9 p.m. on Friday, May 31, when deputies received a call about a person lying in the roadway in the 4500 block of South Federal Highway.

Once they arrived, the police found the victim, Margarita López, suffering from several injuries. She was transported to an area hospital for treatment.

On June 1, Lopez posted the following on her Facebook wall:

“I was so excited that my e-bike was fixed today, I went to pick it up. On the way home and a car hit me from behind.. my mind is all over the place and my bike is finished.. I I’m all messed up but glad to be alive!!!”

“Well, besides having rashes all over my body, I damaged my spine and my C4 is broken. They were going to have surgery on me but they’re going to see if it heals on its own. I must be back in two weeks to see the doctor and see how it heals, my body hurts everywhere and I have three staples on my head now, I have to wear this brace on my neck for over 7 weeks and I’m in bed and I can’t work…I’m going crazy from the fact that I can’t work, Lord give me strength and find me a way to pay these bills and recover soon This will pass!!!”

Investigators say a silver SUV was traveling on South Federal Highway when it struck Lopez on the south inside lane of the tunnel.

Video footage released by police shows the driver stopping after the impact, exiting his vehicle and helping Lopez up from the ground. Police said he placed the bike against the wall and then took off.

Anyone with information about the driver or vehicle involved in this hit-and-run crash is asked to contact Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS (8477).