The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Palm Coast resident on Friday after he allegedly ran over an e-bike rider and fled the scene. 38-year-old Andrea Matranga was arrested on three felonies and one misdemeanor for the incident.
Deputies were dispatched to the area of Palm Coast Parkway NE and Lake Forest Way on Friday after receiving a call about a traffic incident. The victim, who was riding his e-bike in the area, was reportedly hit by a white Mazda and dragged on the road for ‘several feet’. The driver of the Mazda was said to have driven away from the scene.
Deputies tracked down the vehicle suspected of dragging the e-biker in Palm Coast’s B Section. It was said to have sustained damage which appeared consistent with what happened in the collision. Andra Matranga was identified as the car’s owner and questioned.
According to the FCSO, Matranga told them that no such crash had occurred. He was then informed that he was being detained and he was not free to leave. At this point, the FCSO says, Matrange tried to go back inside his home and closed his door onto a deputy’s foot.
A physical struggle ensued as deputies tried to arrest Matranga. A taser was fired at him, which apparently was rendered ineffective due to baggy clothing. Verbal commands and physical attempts to restrain Matranga were reportedly not successful until he fell backward onto the ground. This happened after a third attempt to deploy a taser, this one finally effective. At this point, deputies handcuffed Matranga so he could be placed into the back of a patrol vehicle.
Matranga was arrested for leaving the scene of a crash with injury, battery on a law enforcement officer, and violently resisting arrest. Later, another misdemeanor charge was added for refusal to sign a citation. Matranga was booked into the county jail on $15,000 bond, which he posted on Saturday.
If found guilty, I hope this more on gets the highest punishment with no plea deal and no early release. I hope the victim will be okay.