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Polk Co. deputies arrest suspect in fatal hit-and-run of pedestrian pushing wheelchair

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a man and accused him of hitting a pedestrian pushing a wheelchair and then fleeing the scene.

The hit-and-run occurred Wednesday, deputies said. Christopher John McCoy, 40, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving a fatality.

A red 2013 Acura was found locked in McCoy's garage with damage to the front passenger's side.

At 9:41 p.m. Wednesday, a man wearing a reflective vest and pushing a wheelchair was crossing the southbound lanes of South Florida Avenue.

At the same time, a red Honda or Acura, according to witnesses, was approaching and seemed to be speeding.

The car hit the pedestrian, sending him and the wheelchair flying.

The victim died at the scene.

McCoy was booked into the Polk County Jail Thursday.