PANAMA CITY BEACH — Authorities are investigating the death of a scooter driver after a vehicle pulled out in front of him on North Thomas Drive, Florida Highway Patrol Officers confirmed Friday.
Following a scooter accident on North Thomas Drive Wednesday night at about 7:45 p.m. that sent a man to the hospital in serious condition, FHP is now investigating the accident as a traffic homicide after the man was pronounced dead Thursday morning, according to FHP reports.
The driver of the scooter has not been identified, pending notification of family members.
FHP reported the accident happened in front of the entrance to the Naval Support Activity Panama City. The scooter driver was traveling southbound in the left lane, but he did not have his lights on as a vehicle pulled out in front of him, FHP said.
Ronald Wayne Compton, 61, was driving the other vehicle and failed to see the scooter driver as he pulled out of Hooters parking lot. Compton’s vehicle collided with the scooter, sending the driver to the roadway where he struck his head and lost consciousness. He was not wearing a helmet, FHP said.
The scooter driver was pronounced dead early Thursday.
Compton was not injured, FHP reported.
FHP is investigating the crash as a traffic homicide but have not announced any charges.