Pedestrian injured in Hernando hit-and-run crash

A pedestrian was seriously hurt in a hit-and-run crash Friday morning in Hernando County, and the Florida Highway Patrol is searching for the driver.

According to a release, about 11:23 a.m., an unknown vehicle was northbound on U.S. Highway 19, north of Pine Forest Drive. Meanwhile, John Mestousis, 43, of Spring Hill, was walking along U.S. 19, north of Pine Forest Drive, in between the inside and center northbound lanes, facing north.

Mestousis stopped to pick up money in the roadway, and the right front of the vehicle, possibly the passenger side mirror, struck him. The vehicle then fled northbound on U.S. 19.

Mestousis was first taken to Bayfront Health Spring Hill, then transferred to Bayfront Medical Center, with serious injuries.

The suspect vehicle is a white or cream-colored SUV, possibly a Cadillac, with possible front end damage and damage to the outside passenger mirror, troopers said.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers or the Florida Highway Patrol at (813) 631-4020.