Pinellas County deputies have arrested a 77-year-old man in connection with a hit-and-run crash that left a couple hospitalized with severe injuries over the holiday weekend.
Investigators with the Major Accident Investigation Team (MAIT) announced Sunday evening that they charged Eugenijus Sviderskas with two counts of leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury and one count of tampering with physical evidence.
The investigation began Friday night, November 28, just after 7:20 p.m., when emergency crews responded to multiple 911 calls about two people lying in the road at the intersection of Gulfport Boulevard and Luana Lane South.
Deputies determined that 61-year-old Michael Lynch and 42-year-old Kristen Lynch were riding an electric scooter eastbound near the curb when a vehicle struck them from behind. The driver fled the scene, leaving both victims on the pavement.
Initial witness reports described the suspect vehicle as an older SUV, but investigators used various techniques to track down the actual vehicle—a red 1997 Ford Econoline van registered to Sviderskas at a home on 25th Avenue South.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Sviderskas admitted he was driving the van at the time of the crash. He reportedly told detectives he “heard a loud thud” but chose not to stop.
As of Sunday night, both victims remain hospitalized. Michael Lynch is in critical but stable condition, while Kristen Lynch is in stable condition.
Sviderskas was taken into custody Sunday. A booking photo was not immediately available.
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