FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — A skateboarder has died after possibly being struck by a vehicle early Tuesday morning in Fort Lauderdale, authorities confirmed.
The incident was reported at about 3:38 a.m. along A1A and East Sunrise Boulevard.
“We were going out with friends and came back. A bunch of my friends went to sleep and I couldn’t sleep, so I just came out to jog and watch the sun rise and this is the last thing I expected,” Ben Duffy, who is visiting South Florida, said.
The victim was later identified by co-workers as 40-year-old Joe Czaplinski, who worked at the nearby bar, McSorley’s, and had an 18-year-old daughter.
Employees at McSorley’s told Local 10’s Roy Ramos that Czaplinski had recently started working there and was trying to build a better life while providing for his daughter.
A Local 10 News crew was in the area as Czaplinski’s body was removed from the roadway. A skateboard was lying next to his body.
Investigators said it appears Czaplinski may have fallen off the skateboard and landed in the roadway before he was struck by a passing vehicle whose driver never stopped to render aid.
“It’s sad, it’s sad. You know, it’s unbelievable. I never would expect this to happen,” Alex Johnson, who lives nearby, said.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Traffic Homicide Unit is investigating the circumstances surrounding the victim’s death.
“That’s somebody’s kid. It is very unfortunate,” said Seth Daniels, who is visiting Fort Lauderdale. “You have to be very careful. It’s very busy, there are a lot of people here.”
“It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” Daniels added. “That’s very messed up. Obviously, this guy should do the right thing, be responsible, and turn himself in.”
Police are urging anyone who witnessed what happened to contact police or Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477.
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