BELLEVIEW, FL (352today.com) – The Belleview Police Department (BPD) announced the arrest of a man in connection to a deadly hit-and-run incident.

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BPD officers say they responded to the hit-and-run incident on Sunday, Dec. 1, involving a pedestrian in the 10400 block of South US Highway 441.

Officers say they discovered the body of a 34-year-old woman in the roadway upon arrival.

Officers pronounced the victim dead on the scene.

Witnesses told officers that they saw a vehicle, later identified as a black 1999 Lincoln Town Car, striking the victim as she was crossing the highway in a marked crosswalk.

Officers obtained video footage from a nearby business that showed the suspect vehicle speeding through the right-hand turn lane to bypass stopped traffic at a red light.

It reportedly showed the vehicle striking the victim and continuing southbound with no signs of slowing down.

BPD says the driver, later identified as 25-year-old Christian Patrick Parker, had been reported to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) for reckless driving.

Witnesses provided BPD with a description of Parker and the vehicle’s license plate. Those on scene observed Parker driving at a high rate of speed, using a cell phone, and forcing other vehicles off the road.

BPD officers were assisted by MCSO, Ocala Police Department (OPD), and Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) in a widespread search for Parker on Sunday.

On Monday, Dec. 2, BPD obtained information regarding Parker’s location.

Using this information, they located Parker and his girlfriend residing in a camper parked in the backyard of a residence in Summerfield.

BPD says Parker initially ignored officers’ commands to exit the camper but ultimately complied and was detained without incident.

Officers were unable to locate the vehicle. This was when a resident in the area informed BPD that Parker had claimed his vehicle was stolen on Sunday afternoon.

Arrest

BPD arrested Parker and transported him to the Marion County Jail. He has been charged with one count each of Vehicular Homicide and Leaving the Scene of a Crash Involving Death.

He is currently held at the Marion County Jail without bond.

BPD is continuing to investigate the case, including the location of the reportedly stolen 1999 black Lincoln Town Car.

Anyone with information on the stolen vehicle should contact BPD at 352-245-7044.