FLORIDA AUTHORITIES LAUNCH MANHUNT FOR DRIVER INVOLVED IN FATAL OAKLAND PARK HIT-AND-RUN, IDENTIFY 80-YEAR-OLD BARBARA PRICE AS VICTIM, AND URGE PUBLIC ASSISTANCE IN LOCATING THE SUSPECT VEHICLE, A LIGHT BLUE LAND ROVER RANGE ROVER, WITH NOTICEABLE FRONT-END DAMAGE
A tragic hit-and-run incident in Oakland Park has claimed the life of 80-year-old Barbara Price, leaving her family and the community in shock. The fatal accident occurred on Wednesday evening, around 8 p.m., when Price was struck by a vehicle while crossing North Powerline Road near Northwest 38th Street.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), Price was crossing the roadway outside of a designated crosswalk when the collision happened. Investigators believe she was hit by a light blue Land Rover Range Rover, manufactured between 2005 and 2009.
The impact of the collision threw Price off the roadway, and she was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency responders. Despite the severity of the accident, the driver fled without stopping to render aid or contact authorities.
Detectives investigating the incident suspect the vehicle sustained noticeable damage to the passenger-side bumper, headlight, and hood as a result of the collision. Law enforcement officials are urging body shop owners, auto repair technicians, and the public to be vigilant for a vehicle matching the description with recent front-end damage.
Hit-and-run incidents are particularly challenging for law enforcement as they often require assistance from the community to identify and locate the driver responsible. In this case, the Broward Sheriff’s Office is seeking help from anyone who may have witnessed the collision or has information about the whereabouts of the suspect vehicle.
To encourage community cooperation, authorities have announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest in the case. Tipsters are urged to contact the BSO directly at 954-321-4841. Calls can be made anonymously, and any details, no matter how small, could be crucial to solving the case.
Fatal hit-and-run accidents like this one often leave families and communities in shock, grappling with grief and unanswered questions. Loved ones of the victim are left mourning their loss while also seeking justice. Such incidents highlight the importance of accountability and responsible driving.
The area where Price was struck, North Powerline Road near Northwest 38th Street, is a busy stretch that sees significant pedestrian and vehicular traffic. Safety advocates have long emphasized the importance of using designated crosswalks to reduce the risk of accidents. However, drivers also have a responsibility to remain attentive, particularly in areas where pedestrians are likely to cross, even if outside marked zones.
Florida has consistently ranked among the states with the highest number of pedestrian fatalities. Traffic safety experts point to factors such as high-speed roadways, distracted driving, and insufficient pedestrian infrastructure as contributing causes. Incidents like Price’s death underscore the urgent need for ongoing efforts to improve road safety and protect vulnerable road users.
Local officials and law enforcement agencies continue to promote awareness campaigns highlighting the dangers of hit-and-run incidents and the severe legal consequences for those who flee accident scenes. In Florida, leaving the scene of an accident involving death is a first-degree felony, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
Beyond the legal consequences, hit-and-run drivers often face public condemnation and a lifetime of guilt. Authorities stress that staying at the scene of an accident and rendering aid is not only a legal obligation but also a moral one. Immediate assistance can sometimes mean the difference between life and death for crash victims.
As the investigation into Price’s death continues, BSO officials remain hopeful that the public will come forward with information that can help bring closure to her family and hold the driver accountable. In the meantime, Price’s passing serves as a somber reminder of the risks pedestrians face and the critical need for drivers to exercise caution and compassion on the road.
Community members are encouraged to honor her memory by staying vigilant and advocating for safer streets. Authorities have pledged to keep the public updated as new information becomes available. Anyone with relevant information is strongly urged to contact the Broward Sheriff’s Office or provide tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers.
As the community mourns the loss of Barbara Price, the search for the driver responsible continues. Law enforcement remains committed to seeking justice and preventing future tragedies on Oakland Park’s roadways.
