PASCO COUNTY, Fla. – The family of a bicyclist who was seriously injured in a hit-and-run in Pasco County continues to urge anyone with information about the crash to come forward.

What You Need To Know

  • Adam Kaplan, 31, was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash on March 19

  • Kaplan was riding his bike on Dale Mabry in Land O' Lakes when an unknown vehicle hit him and fled the scene

  • Kaplan is still not conscious
  • Family is asking anyone with information to come forward or for the driver to turn themselves in

"Our public plea is just understanding...he is a person and that we would like justice to be served," said Madyson Pate, sister of bicyclist Adam Kaplan. "I don't feel comfortable having somebody still driving our roads, knowing that he had no regard to human life. This could be your brother, your husband that it happens to next, and if this person isn't willing to come forward now, I don't know if they'd be willing to come forward then."

According to a report from Florida Highway Patrol, Kaplan, 31, was riding his bike south on Dale Mabry Highway in the outside shoulder around 5:00 AM when an unknown vehicle overtook him south of US-41 in Land O' Lakes.

"Somebody hit him from behind, left him on the road to die," Pate said.

The FHP report says Kaplan's bike landed in the travel lane and was hit moments later by a motorcycle. That motorcyclist returned to the original crash scene and waited for help to arrive.

"If it hadn't been for them, we 100% know that my brother probably would have died," Pate said of the motorcyclist.

Pate said Kaplan, who she describes as a hard-working husband and father to a young son, as well as the "life of the party", is still not conscious.

"I miss my brother, but even more so, I see my sister-in-law who has, you know, lost her husband. Yes, he's still with us, but he's not talking, not talking back, not actually present with her," Pate said. 

Pate tells Spectrum News Kaplan was moved to a special facility in Jacksonville this week to continue healing. In addition to asking members of the public to come forward with any information they have, she said her family also urges the driver to turn themselves in.

"Just come forward," Pate said. "There's going to be consequences for their action, but ultimately, just try to rectify your wrong decision by helping us out."

Anyone with information is asked to call FHP at *347 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.

A GoFundMe has also been set up to help with Kaplan's medical expenses.


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