Motorcyclist critically injured in Crystal River road rage incident; driver of SUV arrested
CCSO mugshot of Kristopher Alan Hite, 35, of Homosassa, FL.
Citrus County, Florida - On August 8, 2022, 35 year-old Kristopher Alan Hite of Homosassa, Florida was arrested on charges of attempted vehicular homicide and child neglect, as the result of a road rage incident that occurred in Crystal River, Florida on July 28, 2022.
On July 28, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office responded to a motor vehicle crash that occurred near the 8000 block of North Suncoast Boulevard (U.S. Highway 19) in Crystal River. The crash involved a sport utility vehicle (SUV), driven by Mr. Kite, crashing into a motorcycle, following a verbal altercation between the motorists at a stoplight.
Witnesses state that both vehicles were traveling north, at high rates of speed, on North Suncoast Boulevard, with Hite traveling in the left/inside lane and the motorcyclist traveling in the right/outside lane. Hite was traveling with his girlfriend and young son (hence the child neglect charges). As Hite saw the motorcyclist approach from behind, he swerved into the right/outside lane and struck the motorcycle and its driver, causing both to flip repeatedly in the air. The victim was placed on life support, in critical condition, due to his injuries.
An investigation determined that the crash resulted from an intentional act, and Hite was arrested. Hite was incarcerated at the Citrus County Detention Facility in Lecanto, Florida on a bond of $17,000 ($15,000 for attempted vehicular homicide and $2,000 for child neglect).
"This incident was irresponsible and preventable," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Allowing a negative interaction with another motorist to escalate to road rage puts everyone in jeopardy and demonstrates a reckless disregard for other motorists and passengers."