Joseph Younts Charged in South Venice Hit-and-Run Accident

Q: How does a criminal arrest impact the investigation?

Because investigators noted the suspects had just left a bar prior to the collision, a full review will likely examine whether alcohol played a role. A criminal arrest provides important evidence, such as impounded vehicles and timeline data, that can parallel civil inquiries. "An accident reconstruction team is sometimes needed to help piece together what happened. All of these resources are necessary for helping clients receive monetary compensation for damages or a loss following a collision," noted Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal.

Q: What happens next for the South Venice community?

As the community processes this fatal event, local authorities continue to gather evidence from the impounded vehicle and retrace the suspects' timeline. the corner of U.S. 41 and West Seminole Drive remains a focal point for investigators working to finalize their reports on the collision.

Joseph Younts charged in fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident on U.S. 41, South Venice, Florida

The fatal collision occurred on U.S. 41 near West Seminole Drive

A 28-year-old pedestrian was killed in a hit-and-run accident on U.S. 41 near West Seminole Drive in South Venice on April 12, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‍‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‌‌‌‌‌‍‍‍‌‌‍‍‌‍‍

The highway was dark when the collision occurred. Troopers arrested 59-year-old Joseph Younts on Thursday, charging him with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and tampering with evidence.

A passenger was also arrested. Kelly Black, 55, faces a felony charge of accessory after the fact.

Investigators determined the pair left a Sarasota bar in a 2021 white Jeep Wrangler before striking the man. The driver fled, leaving the critically injured pedestrian in the middle of the road, the agency said in a statement.

Authorities located the impounded Jeep in a residential garage on Rolla Road. The suspects allegedly attempted to destroy evidence by concealing the vehicle, removing decals, and repairing the damage, troopers reported.

Paramedics took the male pedestrian to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Younts was booked into the Charlotte County Jail. Black was booked into the Sarasota County Jail. The crash remains under investigation.

The sudden loss of a loved one in a hit-and-run leaves families grappling with deep grief and unanswered questions. While the criminal justice system focuses on penalizing the driver who fled, the civil legal process provides a separate avenue for accountability. Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, "When a driver leaves the scene of a severe crash, investigators must piece together events without immediate accounts. Road conditions, weather, and vehicle speed become critical clues, helping explain how collisions escalate into life-altering or fatal outcomes."

According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, the state recorded 92,381 hit-and-run crashes in 2025, resulting in 180 death. Over 80% of these fatal incidents occur during dawn, dusk, or nighttime hours when visibility is reduced.

How does a criminal arrest impact the investigation?

What happens next for the South Venice community?

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.