WESLEY CHAPEL, FL — June 6, 2026 — A Wesley Chapel man has been arrested and charged in connection with a fatal hit-and-run motorcycle crash that left one person dead and another seriously injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.
Troopers identified the suspect as Jaykumar Chaturbhai Patel, 70, of Wesley Chapel. According to FHP, the incident occurred shortly after 11 p.m. Saturday when Patel was traveling north on Handcart Road and attempted a left turn at Old Bridge Road. His vehicle struck a southbound motorcycle, ejecting both the rider and a passenger.
The motorcyclist, a 31-year-old man from Zephyrhills, was transported to a local hospital with serious injuries and subsequently died from his wounds. A 32-year-old Zephyrhills woman who had been riding as a passenger on the motorcycle was also hospitalized with serious injuries.
Patel allegedly fled the scene following the collision. Troopers later located and arrested him at his residence. He now faces three charges: leaving the scene involving death, leaving the scene involving injuries, and leaving the scene involving property damage.
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to investigate the crash. No additional information has been released at this time.
