FHP Recovers Hit-And-Run Vehicle In Horrific Manatee Crash

BRADENTON, FL -- Florida Highway Patrol has recovered the suspected hit-and-run vehicle in Thursday's horrific crash that sent an Audi rolling across a hotel parking lot and left its 19-year-old driver fighting for his life.

"Troopers have impounded the suspected hit-and run-vehicle, a 2003 Kia Sorrento," Lt. Gregory S. Bueno of Florida Highway Patrol told Patch Friday night.

Florida Highway Patrol had earlier asked for the public's help in finding the Kia that was believed to have suffered front-end damage during the early morning crash that also caused damage to two parked cars as the driver could be seen speeding away.

Bueno declined to say how troopers located the Kia. Jackson Maxwell Kelly, who played high school basketball and is now a college student, was taken to Sarasota Memorial Hospital after his 2018 A3 landed on its roof in the parking lot of Lantern Inn Suites, 7251 14th Street West, Florida Highway Patrol said.

Kelly's father told "Inside Edition" that he believes someone in the community can identify the driver.

"He is fighting hard," Kelly's father said of his son. "He is showing improvements."

The incident happened at 7:45 a.m. as the Kia Sedona was attempting to make a left turn into the Race Trac gas station at 7259 14th Street West.

Florida Highway Patrol said that the Kia Sedona traveled into the path of Kelly's Audi, which had been going north on US. 41. The Audi began rotating and slammed into a concrete wall before striking a parked car, causing that car in turn to strike a second parked car.

To report a tip, call Florida Highway Patrol at 941 751-8350 or call Manatee County Crime Stoppers at 866-634-TIPS.