FHP: Man who hit, killed bicyclist may have been high on synthetic marijuana

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — An 18-year-old was arrested on charges of  fleeing the scene of a fatal hit-and-run, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

Anthony Moffa was booked into the Orange County Jail late Sunday night after undergoing blood tests at Florida Hospital.

Troopers said Moffa was under the influence of drugs, possibly synthetic marijuana, also called K-2, when he plowed into 53-year-old bicyclist Forrest Flaniken Jr. in Avalon Park on Sunday on Avalon Park Boulevard, near Tea Rose Drive.

"I was told there was possible drug paraphernalia in his possession.  We're in the process of investigating that," said Lt. Channing Taylor of the Florida Highway Patrol.

Moffa's car then hit a tree, ripping one of the wheels off before Moffa allegedly tried to flee, troopers said.

"A couple of witnesses detained him, they didn't go hands-on, but they told him he needed to stop and remain here, so he got quite a distance away," Taylor said.

Moffa was also charged with DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide.

A judge ordered Moffa to remain in jail on $21,000 bail.

WFTV found out that Flaniken was senior vice president of a Christian missionary organization called Wycliffe USA.

He leaves behind a wife and three children.

WFTV