Construction worker struck on Siesta north bridge

A driver veered off the road on the Siesta Key north bridge before 2:30 a.m. this morning and struck a 60-year-old construction worker, who has been identified as Lakeland resident Larry Norris, before fleeing the scene.

Sarasota Police are still searching for the hit-and-run driver, who swerved into the south sidewalk and knocked the victim over the side of the bridge into a 15-foot fall. Two witnesses said the motorist was driving a burgundy four-door Lexus, which rammed into several traffic hazard barrels before fleeing east on Siesta Drive.

The Florida Department of Transportation had closed the westbound lane on the east end of the bridge where the crime occurred due to the bridge rehabilitation project. Construction workers are present during lane closures, which take place from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m., nightly.

Norris was transported to Sarasota Memorial Hospital with a broken wrist, according to the accident report.