Pinellas Park hit-and-run results in motorcyclist losing both legs

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (FOX 13) - A motorcyclist suffered critical injuries after a hit-and-run in Pinellas Park, which led to him losing both of his legs, police said.

The crash occurred around 10:30 p.m. Wednesday on 40th Street North and Park Boulevard. 

Pinellas Park police said the driver, later identified as 20-year-old Jah-Vez Tierre Deon Hill-Holmes, was traveling west in the curb lane -- or the lane on the far right -- which is also the exit ramp from southbound U.S. Highway 19. The motorcyclist was also heading west, but in a median lane on Park Boulevard. 

As both were approaching the 40th Street North intersection, Hill-Holmes turned left across all of the westbound lanes, violating the right of way of the motorcycle, investigators said. The motorcycle struck the rear bumper of Hill-Holmes' 2003 Mitsubishi Galant. The motorcyclist, 31-year-old Brandon Anthony Niles, was ejected following the crash.

Niles had severe injuries to his lower body, and it resulted in the loss of both of his legs, police said. Hill-Holmes initially fled from the scene, but later returned. He was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash. 

Police said impairment is not a factor.