Teen driver charged in fatal hit- and-run Palm Bay crash after father tried to take blame

A 17-year-old Palm Bay driver was arrested Thursday after police said he struck and killed a 23-year-old pedestrian earlier this week while traveling up to 90 mph and then drove away from the crash site .

The teen’s father, 37-year-old Narrian Sabdull, returned to the site of the 8:35 p.m. Aug. 9 crash, at Capeador and Nadell streets, after the car sped away. He told officers he was the driver of the gray Hyundai Sonata which hit the victim, later identified as Nathaniel Soueidan.

But Palm Bay police doubted the father’s admission, as forensic information and other discrepancies pointed to the man's son, Tyler Sabdull, as the one behind the wheel.

Tyler Sabdull was charged with leaving the scene of an accident with death and vehicular manslaughter after Palm Bay traffic homicide agents reviewed surveillance video. Narrian Sabdull Jr. was charged with giving a false report, police reported.

“This incident is deeply concerning and underscores the serious nature of road safety and accountability," Chief Mario Augello of the Palm Bay Police Department said in a statement released late Thursday.

"We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation to ensure justice is served. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family during this incredibly difficult time."

The intersection where Soueidan was killed is near the intersection of Capeador and Nadell streets in the northeast section of the city.

Officers responding to the scene found Soueidan’s body on the sidewalk. At least one witness told officers that the car which hit Soueidan had left heading westbound on Malabar Road, but returned to the site a short time later, before officers arrived. Police determined through a search warrant that the crash happened when the car was going at least 94 mph.

Tyler Sabduill, who was taken into custody, was expected to go before a juvenile judge Friday morning for a hearing.

J.D. Gallop is a criminal justice/breaking news reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Gallop at 321-917-4641 or jgallop@floridatoday.com . Twitter: @JDGallop.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Teen driver charged in fatal hit- and-run Palm Bay crash after father tried to take blame