Police seize car linked to hit-run

Tamarac woman critically injured

FORT LAUDERDALE – A Ford Mustang, believed to have been involved in a hitand-run in Fort Lauderdale that left a Tamarac woman critically injured, has been seized by police.

Investigators said Monday that they have the vehicle that struck 40-year-old Lynn Hessley, of Tamarac, after a three-week search, but they have not yet located its driver.

Authorities say Hessley was struck at a high rate of speed about 10:40 p.m. July 3 on State Road A1A near Seville Street.

Surveillance camera video, previously released by police, showed a Mustang driving south on A1A at the time of the incident as several other vehicles stopped in front of the Westin hotel where an injured Hessley lay in the road.

The family’s GoFundMe page says Hessley suffered brain injuries and multiple major fractures.

According to police, the Mustang was located in Fort Lauderdale on July 17 by Broward Sheriff’s Office child protective services investigator Donald McCalla, who was working an unrelated case. McCalla reported seeing a Mustang with front-end damage that was “strategically parked,” according to Sgt. DeAnna Greenlaw, a spokeswoman for the Fort Lauderdale Police Department.

The car was missing its passenger side mirror, and a piece of its front passengerside bumper came off as a result of the crash, police said. Fort Lauderdale police investigators matched a piece of the bumper that was recovered at the scene of the crash with the car in question.

Hessley’s sisters, Jennifer and Lisa, were elated by news of the car’s recovery.

Because of restrictions on hospital visitors due to COVID-19, Hessley’s family and friends say they haven’t been able to see their sibling in person, but celebrated her birthday with her remotely on Friday.

“She’s doing well, she’s making improvements every day. We are celebrating every little win along the way,” Jennifer said.