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Driver arrested in hit-and-run crash involving pedestrian, Cocoa police say

Man struck by SUV while walking on SR 520

COCOA, Fla. – A driver has been arrested after a hit-and-run crash involving a pedestrian that blocked traffic Tuesday afternoon on State Road 520, Cocoa police said.

The crash happened just after 2 p.m. on SR 520, east of U.S. 1.

Police said Shepard Seamans, 22, was arrested when Cocoa Beach police found her at a beach-side gentlemen's club after they received a bulletin about a hit-and-run crash investigation from the city of Cocoa.

"Why she went over to a beach-side bar right around the crash happened is anyone's guess, but she did make admissions to her involvement," said Yvonne Martinez, with the Cocoa Police Department.

Witnesses told police a man had been on foot near the median between the eastbound and westbound lanes of SR 520. Police said that's when a Ford Explorer heading east struck the pedestrian, causing him to become airborne, bounce onto a pickup truck and then land on the concrete median.

"I saw him walking to me and the next thing I know he was up in the air and then on the ground, bounced off my truck and on the ground," witness Ron Devris said.

Devris said it happened quickly and that he saw the man standing there panhandling just moments before he was tossed in the air.

"I was stopped at the light waiting for the light to turn green and the poor guy was coming down. He had his sign out, homeless, please help, and the car came out of nowhere and hit him," Devris added.

The investigation revealed the driver of the Explorer stopped and got out of the vehicle, but failed to render aid and left the scene, police said.

"She got out of the vehicle and she got scared. She got back in her car and left. I think she told a witness she didn't have a cellphone," Martinez said.

Dispatchers received information about the vehicle, including a tag number and a description of the female driver, who was later identified as Seamans, police said.

The man was rushed to the hospital with what witnesses say was a big gash to his head. With a tag number and description, police tracked the car Seamans was driving back to this home on Merirt Island, where they found damage on the front of the SUV. 

Officers received information that led them to Cheaters Gentleman's Club, a bar on A1A. Police said when the officers met Seamans at the bar, she was arrested after making statements that incriminated her in the hit-and-run crash.

"When they got there they found her, she didn't seem to be surprised, that they were there for her," Martinez added.

The victim was listed in critical condition at the hospital.

Police said additional charges are pending as the investigation continues.

The eastbound and westbound lanes of SR 520 were reduced to one lane. The road was expected to be blocked for at least three hours.

Seamans is being held at the Brevard County Jail. She has a history of prior arrests from battery and domestic violence.

Anyone who has information about the crash is asked to call the Cocoa Police Department at 321-639-7620.