Alexander Petrone arrested in hit-and-run crash on Dean Road

Driver struck pedestrian and fled before returning to scene in another vehicle in Orlando

December 07, 2025 | Orlando, FL

Authorities arrested Alexander James Petrone, 40, following a deadly hit-and-run incident that left a local pedestrian deceased. 

The crash occurred at the intersection of Dean Road and Flowers Avenue just before 8 p.m. on Dec. 7.

Alexander James Petrone, 40, of Orlando was arrested after his Honda Accord struck a pedestrian at Dean Road and Flowers Avenue and he left the scene, leading to the victim’s death.

What Happened in the Crash?

The Florida Highway Patrol reported that an unidentified pedestrian was hit by a vehicle at the busy Orlando intersection. The driver fled immediately after the crash. Emergency responders provided CPR at the scene and airlifted the victim to a nearby hospital, where they succumbed to injuries.

• Date and Time: Dec. 7, 2025, around 7:55 p.m.
• Location: Dean Road and Flowers Avenue, Orlando, FL
• Vehicle Involved: Brown Honda Accord
• Outcome: Pedestrian fatally injured, and driver arrested after returning to scene

Petrone returned to the area 45 to 60 minutes later in another vehicle. He confessed to operating the Honda Accord but stated he was unaware of striking a person. Investigators located the damaged Accord at his residence, about two miles away, with front-end damage matching a pedestrian strike.

Petrone faces felony charges for hit-and-run involving serious bodily injury after failing to stop and remain at the scene. He was booked into Orange County Jail, and the Florida Highway Patrol continues its investigation into the circumstances.

Why Do Hit-and-Run Crashes Remain a Challenge in Florida?

Hit-and-run incidents pose a persistent threat to public safety, particularly for vulnerable road users like pedestrians. Florida sees thousands of such cases annually, contributing to hundreds of deaths and injuries.

Data highlights the steady rise in pedestrian and bicyclist involvement, with Florida ranking high nationally. Source: FLHSMV. For broader context, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that hit-and-runs exacerbate traffic fatality rates in urban areas.

Legal Insights

National legal analysts emphasize the need for thorough investigations in hit-and-run cases to ensure accountability and support for affected families.

“In cases such as this, it is imperative to have an independent investigation conducted by a seasoned attorney in a timely manner to protect a victim’s rights,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Having the proper resources is extremely important in order to investigate a hit-and-run accident case and prove negligence. Road conditions, signage visibility, and road lighting are all possible contributing factors that are considered and must thoroughly be examined.”

Key takeaways from analyst insights:

• Prompt legal action can uncover negligence, such as poor visibility or driver impairment.
• Families may pursue wrongful death claims covering funeral costs, loss of companionship, and emotional distress.
• Unsafe driving behaviors, including speeding and distraction, often underlie these tragedies, per Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) studies.

“An incident is considered a wrongful death when either a person or entity commits a wrongful or negligent act resulting in a person's death,” said Stefano Formica, of counsel at Bond Legal. “When vehicle accident fatalities result from unsafe driving, aggressive or distracted driving, speeding, or driving under the influence, family members are usually left with the option to pursue a civil action against the responsible motorist.”

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