Zayden Swango Killed in Gadsden County Hit-and-Run Accident
A 22-year-old driver faces suspected DUI and hit-and-run charges after fleeing the fatal bicycle collision on U.S. 27
Zayden Swango, 14, of Havana, was killed in a bicycle crash on U.S. Highway 27 near John Yawn Place in Gadsden County on Saturday, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
A 22-year-old Arkansas woman was arrested in neighboring Leon County after deputies located her vehicle during a traffic stop. Troopers charged the driver with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death and suspected DUI, with additional charges pending review.
The northbound vehicle drifted off the road and onto the paved shoulder, striking the cyclist from behind. Paramedics rushed Swango, who was wearing a helmet, to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Hundreds of community members gathered at a Havana funeral home Thursday to mourn the teen, remembered by family friends for his willingness to help others.
The crash remains under active investigation.
Why did the driver leave the road on U.S. Highway 27?
The arrest of the suspected driver initiates a criminal process, but families of victims often pursue parallel civil accountability. While investigators work to determine the exact level of impairment and sequence of events that led the vehicle onto the shoulder, legal analysts note that independent investigations are important in hit-and-run cases.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News, said, "Serious hit‑and‑run crashes often leave surviving relatives facing deep emotional trauma because accountability is delayed and questions remain unanswered. The absence of a driver makes investigations harder, and fragile evidence can quickly disappear. An Attorney steps in to guide these difficult processes, working to preserve key material, coordinate reconstruction specialists, and ensure that important findings are not lost."
Florida recorded 104,273 hit-and-run crashes in 2023, resulting in 271 death, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. Of those killed, 47 were bicyclists.
What criminal and civil consequences do DUI hit-and-run drivers face?
The sudden loss of a teenager to an impaired driver leaves families navigating deep grief alongside complex legal frameworks. While the criminal justice system handles the DUI and fleeing charges, civil courts provide an avenue for victim restitution.
According to Stefano Formica, who serves as a national legal analyst for Accident News and is of counsel at Bond Legal, Strong resources are vital in investigating hit‑and‑run crashes, because careful evidence review and clear reconstruction often provide the foundation needed to prove negligence."
Families affected by fatal hit-and-run collisions may have legal options. Consulting a personal injury attorney can help clarify rights and potential claims. If your loved one has been killed in a hit-and-run accident, please contact our National Legal Analyst Bond of Bond Legal today for a no-cost analytical consultation.
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.