ORLANDO, Fla.,None — Investigators are reviewing surveillance video to find out if a driver intentionally pinned a panhandler against a pole and killed him.
Witnesses told WFTV on Sunday that the victim was trying to ask someone in the van for money outside the 7-Eleven on State Road 50 and Westmoreland Drive in Orlando.
Police said the man, known in the neighborhood as Cody or "soldier,” was leaning inside the van's window when it started moving.
"I turned back around and I see the guy rolling his arm up in the window,” said witness James Hood. “When he rolled his arm up in the window Cody started saying, police, police, police and the guy backed up and ran into the pole."
Orlando police haven't confirmed the identity of either the victim or the driver.
So far, no charges have been filed.
Police shut down Colonial Drive between Parramore Avenue and Orange Blossom Trail at around 2 p.m. Sunday while officers investigated. Westmoreland Drive between Colonial Drive and Arlington Street was also shut down.
Orlando Fire Rescue remained on scene Sunday evening working to secure the pole that was struck during the crash.
WFTV
