UPDATE: Pedestrian Stable in ICU After Hit and Run, Driver Arrested

03/20/09 - 08:08 AM
Taylor Shutt - bio
tshutt@wmbb.com
Panama City Beach, Fla:

Panama City Beach Police say a man is listed as stable in the intensive care unit of an area hospital, after a hit and run accident.

It happened Friday morning, around 5:00, on Front Beach Road near Sharky’s.

Police have charged Sean Dewitt Nichols, 19, and Christopher Todd Schei, 19, in connection with the accident. Police say Nichols was identified by passengers in his car as the driver when a Chevy Impala hit a pedestrian, identified as Freddy Garcia. The car was abandoned about a mile from the accident.

Nichols faces charges of Leaving the Scene of an Accident with Serious Injury, and Violation of Driver License Restrictions. Schei is charged as an accessory after the fact, for reportedly helping Nichols to flee.

Authorities say the Department of Homeland Security will be involved in the case because Garcia is reportedly an illegal alien.

http://www.panhandleparade.com/index.ph ... bb7715319/