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Cyclist throws self at car; driver charged after fleeing

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A 22-year-old man has been charged with leaving the scene of a deadly accident after striking a cyclist who apparently threw himself in front of the car.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office says 32-year-old Keith Michael Richardson was found dead alongside a road Saturday evening in Lake Wales, about 55 miles south of Orlando. His damaged bicycle was located nearby.

According to investigators, Richardson had gotten into a fight with his girlfriend and was drinking shortly before the crash. He called and told his mother he was going to throw himself in front of a car on his bicycle.

Richardson attempted to get hit by two cars on State Road 60, but the drivers swerved and missed him, officials said. Richardson was eventually struck by a Chrysler 300 driven by Vonterrious West. West left the scene of the crash, according to deputies.

Homicide detectives say West did not realize he had struck a person and would not have been charged if he had stayed at the scene.