MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. — Investigators are searching for a hit-and-run driver who they say struck and killed a skateboarder early Wednesday. 

  • 15-year-old skateboarder killed Wednesday morning
  • FHP says vehicle likely has front end damage
  • Victim's name not released pending next of kin notification

It happened near the intersection of Upper Manatee River Road and Waterlefe Boulevard just before 3 a.m. The roadway and nearby Fort Hamer Bridge were shut down for nearly five hours during the morning commute. 

The victim is a 15-year-old boy. His identity has not yet been released as investigators are working to notify his parents. 

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, EMS workers first noticed the skateboarder around 2:15 a.m. as they were transporting a patient to the hospital. They say he was traveling on the north side of Upper Manatee River Road with no lights or reflectors. 

Roughly 30 minutes later, after dropping off the patient, the same ambulance traveled back on Upper Manatee River Road and discovered the skateboard laying in the roadway. That's when they located debris from a vehicle scattered across the roadway and the victim deceased by the side of the road. 

"There is no way this driver does not know they hit someone or something," said Trooper Kenn Watson with the Florida Highway Patrol. "The bottom line is, they should have stayed on scene. With the amount of damage that vehicle sustained, they've got to know they hit someone.” 

Investigators are looking for a 2012-2015 silver Toyota Tacoma with extensive front end damage. 

Anyone with information about the driver or vehicle is asked to dial *347.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Law enforcement officials originally said the victim was 21 years old. They know have determined the victim was 15.