FHP: Moped rider dies in DeLand crash; drunken driver arrested 2 miles away

A DeLand man died early Sunday after he was struck by a drunken driver who then fled the scene, the Florida Highway Patrol said.

Nicholas Eason, 18, was riding a 2013 Honda moped westbound on East International Speedway Boulevard near Marsh Road at about 1:30 a.m. when Craig Howitt, 39, of Port Orange, crashed his 2000 Nissan Xterra Sport Utility Vehicle into Eason’s bike, said FHP Sgt. Kim Montes.

Eason flew onto the hood of Howitt’s SUV but later fell off, and Howitt eventually crashed into a sign, Montes said.

Howitt briefly stopped after striking the sign but then continued driving. An alert DeLand police officer spotted him 2 miles from the crash, Montes said.

Troopers arrested Howitt, who was booked into the Volusia County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a fatal crash and driving under the influence manslaughter.

Eason was brought to Daytona Beach’s Halifax Health Medical Center, where he died.

In 2013, Howitt pleaded no contest to a drunken driving charge, court records show.

The crash remains under investigation.

Cox Media Group