Father pleads for information in son's hit-and-run death on Apopka Vineland Road

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The father of a 59-year-old man killed Oct. 30 in a hit-and-run crash is pleading for someone to come forward with information on the driver of the vehicle involved.

Mirza Baig was killed in the crash, which happened at about 7 p.m. as he crossed Apopka Vineland Road in the crosswalk at the Lake Street intersection, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Surveillance video from a nearby business shows a white passenger car leaving the scene after the crash.

Ishaq Beg, Baig's father, lives in Atlanta and told Channel 9 that his son was on the way to visit a friend when he was hit.

When the friend didn't hear from Baig, he went to the man's apartment, broke open the door and found an ID that he turned over to investigators.

With the ID, troopers were able to confirm it was Baig who had been hit and killed, Beg said.

"He had too many friends who loved him," Beg said said. "I really saw that when I reached there to Orlando, and (saw) how many people came and greeted me because of my son."

Marcus Rista was was at home nearby when the crash happened.

"I was in my room playing games and stuff like that. I head like a loud bang and then a honk. Like a loud honk for a couple minutes," Rista said.

Other witnesses said they also heard the car honking, but said the driver didn't slow down or stop to check on the victim.

Beg couldn't understand how someone could hit his son and just drive away without at least checking to see if he was OK.

"If I hit somebody in the road, I will definitely stop and I will see what best I can do," he said. "But I will never run away from the scene."

He called for anyone with information on Baig's death to come forward.

Hopefully, he said, the driver will step up and take responsibility.

"Something like this could happen to you as well," Beg said. "So be responsible. Accept your mistake."

Anyone with information on the crash is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 407-737-2213 or Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS.

Cox Media Group