Suzen Leslie Roselip Injured in Odessa Hit-and-Run Accident
FHP searching for dark-colored SUV that fled southbound on Parkway Boulevard after striking 42-year-old mother
Suzen Leslie Roselip, 42, of Odessa, was severely injured in a hit-and-run pedestrian accident on Parkway Boulevard near Edna Mae Circle in Odessa, Florida, on April 24, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
A dark-colored SUV, possibly a Ford Explorer, struck the woman and immediately fled southbound at a high rate of speed. The suspect vehicle likely has damage to the front passenger side.
Roselip was airlifted to Tampa General Hospital with life-threatening injuries, including a traumatic brain injury, a skull fracture, multiple broken ribs and a punctured lung.
Troopers are reviewing surveillance video from nearby homes that captured the moments before and after the collision. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office is assisting with the search for the driver.
The crash occurred in a residential area known for heavy foot traffic near Lake Rogers Park. Community members have circulated flyers and shared dashcam footage on social media to help identify the fleeing vehicle, while a fundraiser was established to assist with medical expenses.
Why did the SUV speed away on Parkway Boulevard?
Victims like Roselip are left with catastrophic injuries when drivers choose to flee rather than render aid. In pedestrian accidents such as this, investigators frequently find that excessive speed plays a critical role in both how serious the impact and the driver's subsequent decision to leave the scene.
National Legal Analyst Candice Bond, Managing Partner at Bond Legal. "An incident is considered a personal injury when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's injuries, When vehicle accidents result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, victims usually are left with the option to pursue a civil action."
According to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, more than 104,000 hit-and-run crashes occurred statewide in 2023, representing roughly one in four of all collisions.
What are the legal options for hit-and-run victims in Odessa?
While law enforcement searches for the dark-colored SUV, the victim's family faces mounting medical bills at Tampa General Hospital. The community has rallied around the family, circulating flyers and sharing dashcam footage to help identify the fleeing vehicle.
"Having the proper resources is extremely important in order to investigate a pedestrian accident case and prove negligence," said National Legal Analyst Stefano Formica, Of Counsel at Bond Legal. "Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must be thoroughly examined. These procedures are necessary for helping those injured receive the monetary compensation they deserve as they recover from an injury."
Uninsured drivers coverage often becomes a vital resource for victims of hit-and-run collisions when the at-fault driver remains unidentified. Individuals injured due to another party's negligence may be entitled to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Florida personal injury framework
Florida follows a modified comparative fault (51% bar) system, effective 2023. The statute of limitations was reduced from 4 years to 2 years in 2023.
Damages include economic losses (medical expenses, lost wages) and non-economic losses (pain, suffering). Florida's PIP no-fault insurance covers initial medical costs up to $10,000 regardless of fault.