Hit-run crashes on rise

Number of fatalities fluctuate

The South Florida tally of hit-and-run crashes increased by two on Sunday, adding to a statewide number that has steadily risen over the past five years.

A woman was hit and killed while crossing Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach early Sunday. And about 10 hours later a man died in Davie when he was hit crossing State Road 7.

In both instances drivers fled the scene.

“I know hit-and-runs continue to be a problem,” said Sgt. Mark Wysocky, spokesman for Florida Highway Patrol. “Unfortunately they continue to go up from previous years.”

The number of hit-andruns in the state, including and not including pedestrians, have risen steadily from about 72,000 in 2012 to 99,000 in 2016.

It’s too soon, Wysocky said, to tell if a Stay At The Scene campaign launched in February to encourage drivers to remain at crash locations has had an effect.

The white Hyundai Genesis that fled after hitting and killing Naborina Palacios, 51, about 2:12 a.m. in Boynton Beach, was later found in a parking garage near Renaissance Commons, police said.

Palacios was killed in the crosswalk at the intersection of North Congress Avenue and West Gateway Boulevard. She was struck when the traffic signal turned from red to green as she walked east across Congress, police said.

In Davie, police continue to search for a red car that may have been involved in