Daytona Beach Hit & Run Victim Dies, 2 Suspects Charged

Daytona Beach, FL – The victim in a hit-and-run accident on Saturday, Dec.4 in Daytona Beach has died as a result of his injuries. Daytona Beach Police investigators say the driver of the car, 17-year-old Rigoberto Martinez, is facing felony charges. His mother, Claudia Velasco Lopez, original charges were Permitting Unlicensed Minor to Drive and Failing to Make a Report. DBPD Information Officer Messod Bendayan said the charges for Martinez are Leaving the Scene of a Crash with Serious Injury and Driving Without a License and Causing Serious Injury or Death. Martinez and Velasco Lopez turned themselves in on Wednesday, Dec. 8. Earlier that day, detectives viewed surveillance video which allowed them to identify vehicle parts and a direction of travel of the vehicle. They tracked the vehicle to their home address on Hampton Rd. with negative results. The video surveillance also showed the victim not using a crosswalk as he crossed Dunn Ave. near Roth St. The investigation found that he was wearing dark clothing and concluded that he was not crossing at a 90-degree angle.   Velasco Lopez is out of jail on a $1,000 bond. The Volusia County Jail is not showing information for Martinez, likely because he’s only 17.