PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — A man suspected of hitting and killing a Good Samaritan is behind bars.
- Dhimitri Andoni, 22, killed in alleged hit-and-run crash
- Investigators: Andoni had pulled over on I-275 to help another driver
- Driver that struck Andoni then took his car
Florida Highway Patrol investigators said they received a call about a body on the side of the road Friday afternoon. They learned later the body found had been there since around 9 p.m. the night before.
Investigators said Dhimitri Andoni, 22, stopped on I-275 near mile marker 23 to help an unknown driver who lost control of their car. That person eventually drove off.
As Andoni was walking back to his own car, he was struck and killed by another driver.
According to reports, Dana Byrd, 30, was behind the wheel of the green Ford pickup truck that hit Andoni.
Byrd reportedly got out to check on the victim, and once he realized Andoni was dead reportedly ditched his truck, hopped into Andoni’s car and drove off. Andoni’s dash camera, however, captured video of who investigators say is Bryd.
The car was later found abandoned by Andoni’s father, who tracked it via GPS. The father then filed a missing persons report with St. Pete Police, according to investigators.
We’re told Road Rangers put a tag on the pickup truck Thursday night, but didn’t see the body because of the rain and dark conditions.
It was not until Road Rangers showed up again to tag the truck early Friday afternoon that they noticed the victim’s body.
Byrd was subsequently arrested and transported to the Pinellas County Jail.
No further information has been released.