FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Authorities are searching for the driver of a white Dodge or Chrysler minivan who struck a motorcyclist last week on Interstate 95 in Fort Lauderdale.
Michael Dean spoke to Local 10 News this week, saying that his bike has been his happy place.
"When I had a bad day, when I was stressed out, I could get on and take a ride," he said. "It was my best therapy, and now I can't do that."
Dean was riding along I-95 June 29 when the vehicle clipped the front of his motorcycle and kept going, police said.
"I saw him coming, so I then began braking," Dean said.
According to Dean, it was raining when the accident occurred.
"All I knew was I was rolling and sliding, and I told myself, 'I gotta get up. I gotta get up,'" he said.
Dean said he suffered road rash on both knees, his leg, his hip and his shoulder. Still, he said his bike got the worst of it.
"I don't know what I'll do if I can't afford to fix it. I definitely can't afford to buy another (motorcycle)," Dean said.
Authorities said about 450 people died two years ago on Florida's highways in motorcycle crashes.
"Had this person said I missed my exit, I'll take the next, this wouldn't have happened," Dean said.
Dean has a message for the driver.
"Fix my bike and learn (how) to drive," he said.
Anyone with information about the hit-and-run is asked to call Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS.