Troopers Locate Vehicle In Fatal Cocoa Beach Hit-And-Run
By Space Coast Daily // December 11, 2012
Investigation Continues As Suspect identified
BREVARD COUNTY • COCOA BEACH, FLORIDA – Investigators believe they have found the vehicle that struck and killed a Cocoa Beach woman Nov. 28 as she crossed State Road A1A.
Florida Highway Patrol spokeswoman Sgt. Kim Montes said Tedah C. Branch of Cocoa Beach, 34, was fatally hit near 33th Street by someone driving a 2011 Dodge Caravan that left the scene.
Branch’s body was found lying on the side of northbound State Road A1A between 33rd Street and 35th Street about 7 a.m. Nov. 28 by passing motorists.
Troopers said the crash took place between 2 and 5 a.m.
Montes said the owner of a 2011 Dodge Caravan found damage to her vehicle and turned it over to the Florida Highway Patrol for examination and processing.
The vehicle’s owner also identified a suspect, Amit C. Datt of Oveido, 26, who was driving the Dodge Caravan at the time.
Datt told investigators he had traveled the route where the traffic crash occurred and at the time of the crash.
He told troopers he believed he struck a large animal, such as a deer and he continued on his travels.
Montes said physical evidence gathered at the scene, from the vehicle and available forensic evidence will be analyzed as part of the traffic homicide investigation to assist in determining who is at fault for the traffic crash.
It remains under investigation and charges are pending against Datt.
