VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — A good Samaritan who was helping to change a tire on the side of Interstate 4 was killed in Volusia County early Monday morning, according to Florida Highway Patrol.
- Edward Keene killed changing tire of disabled vehicle on I-4
- Fabian Thomas of Lakeland accused of striking Keene
- Thomas was seen taking his license plate off, FHP said
- Get more cover of Volusia and Orange counties
At about 1 a.m., Edward Keene was on the right shoulder of I-4 near near the Dirksen Drive exit, next to a disabled vehicle, when he was struck from behind by a vehicle, troopers said.
The driver of the vehicle, 37-year-old Fabian Anthony Thomas, of Lakeland, traveled into the paved shoulder, striking the 41-year-old man.
The FHP said that Thomas then left the scene and went to a RaceTrac gas station on 407 Deltona Boulevard, where he "was observed removing his license plate from (his car)."
The Chrysler 300's bumper was also removed and found in a wooded area near the gas station, according to FHP.
A Volusia County deputy who tracked Thomas to the gas station said they also saw Thomas trying to change his license plate.
Thomas told authorities that the damage to his car was because of a blown tire, troopers said.
Thomas was charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
Keene's family said they were not surprised to hear that he was trying to help someone this morning. Keene, a father of two, worked for an airport security company.
