Dustin Smith Killed in Wesley Chapel Hit-and-Run Accident
The fatal collision occurred at the intersection of Handcart Road and Old Bridge Road
Dustin Smith, 32, of Zephyrhills, was killed and his passenger critically injured in a hit-and-run crash at Handcart Road and Old Bridge Road in Wesley Chapel on June 6, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers arrested Jaykumar Patel, 70, at his home early the next morning after his son-in-law called 911 to report the vehicle's involvement. Patel faces multiple charges. He was booked into the Pasco County Jail.
The northbound car driven by Patel made a left turn directly into the path of the southbound motorcycle at approximately 11:12 p.m., resulting in a T-bone collision that ejected both riders. Patel then fled the scene.
Rescuers attempted life-saving measures at the hospital, but the motorcycle driver, Smith, did not survive. His passenger, identified as his fiancée, remains hospitalized in the intensive care unit. Both riders were wearing helmets at the time of the collision.
The suspect reportedly told investigators he felt something hit his vehicle but drove home after not seeing anything at the intersection. The crash remains under investigation.
The sudden loss of a loved one and the severe injury of another in a hit-and-run collision leaves families facing immense emotional and financial burdens. While criminal charges address the driver's actions, civil investigations focus on the rights of the victims.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "When a driver flees after a serious collision, reconstruction becomes the foundation of the civil case. The absence of the striking vehicle does not end the investigation."
"A legal team works with independent experts to analyze roadway markings, debris patterns, and victim vehicle damage to establish impact dynamics and support identification of the responsible party," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
Florida wrongful death statute
Under Fla. Stat. § 768.16-768.26, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. Florida applies modified comparative fault (51% bar). The statute of limitations is 2 years from the date of death.
Recoverable damages may include loss of support and services, loss of companionship, mental pain and suffering of survivors, and medical/funeral expenses.
According to Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal, "Distracted driving has become one of the leading contributors to left-turn motorcycle fatalities, with drivers failing to process oncoming traffic before initiating a turn. The consequences for riders are often devastating and irreversible."
"An attorney handling these cases works to obtain phone records, in-vehicle system data, and camera footage that documents driver attention before impact."