Biker killed on SR 50 likely riding to see his children, brother says
HERNANDO COUNTY – A 44-year-old man who was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while riding his bike on State Road 50 early Tuesday was likely making a 60-mile journey to see his children, his brother said.
The Florida Highway Patrol continues to look for the driver who hit and killed Steven Charles Holder along State Road 50, east of U.S. Highway 301.
FHP spokesman Sgt. Steve Gaskins said Thursday no witnesses have come forward with information.
The Holder was riding his bicycle west on S.R. 50 between 6:30 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. when he was hit by a late model vehicle, according to the FHP.
Holder had reflectors on his bike, but not lights, and died from his injuries.
Testing is being done on the lens covers and fragments collected at the scene, Gaskins said.
Holder, who was identified by an identification card as living in Inverness, actually lived in Winter Garden, according to his brother, Matt Holder.
Matt Holder, who was reached by phone in Warren, Mich. Wednesday, said he believed his brother was making the roughly 60 mile journey to visit his children in Inverness when he was hit.
“I just can’t believe someone would leave him there like that,” Matt Holder said, adding his brother’s primary means of transportation was his bike.
Matt Holder, 33, remembered his older brother as a father, “a good honest man who has people who love him.”
Matt Holder urged anyone with information on the fatal accident to come forward for the sake of his family.
“It’ll be OK. Say something, and it’ll be OK,” Matt Holder said. “It’s hard to come to closure on something like this when you don’t know.”
Anyone who witnessed the fatal crash or has information is asked to call the FHP at (813) 631-4020 or Hernando County Crime Stoppers at 1-866-990-TIPS (8477). Tips can be submitted online at www.hernandosheriff.org/Tips/.
(352) 544-5283
