Driver who allegedly hit 11-year-old girl on bike in New Port Richey identified

Officials have identified a driver who allegedly hit a young girl on a bike in New Port Richey Wednesday morning.

The New Port Richey Police Department said the incident occurred around 7 a.m. at the intersection of Van Buren Street and Indiana Avenue when a smaller red vehicle struck the 11-year-old before fleeing the scene.

The victim sustained minor injuries and there is minimal damage to the bike.

Police identified the driver as 77-year-old Richard McCafferty.

McCafferty was arrested and charged with one felony count of leaving the scene of a crash involving injury. He was taken to the Pasco County Corrections Department.

Pasco County Schools provided more information to ABC Action News Thursday and said, according to state statute, the student lives within 2 miles of the school and is therefore not eligible for bus transportation. The district added that a continuous sidewalk exists from the student's residence to the school.

PAY TO STAY
A Florida lawmaker says changes need to be made after the ABC Action News I-Team revealed the impact of Florida's "pay to stay" law, which allows inmates to be charged $50 a day, and in some cases, beyond the time they actually served.

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