Woman crashed into motorcyclist, kept on driving with bike underneath car

A woman has been arrested for fleeing the scene and attempting to cover up her involvement in a hit-and-run incident that left a motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries in a crash in West Melbourne, Florida.

24-year-old Rebekah Makenzie Tate, from Palm Bay, was taken into custody after authorities accused her of hitting a 34-year-old motorcyclist and driving off with his bike still lodged under her vehicle.

The incident occurred in the early hours of Sept. 1, during Labor Day weekend. Tate was driving her 2015 Toyota RAV4 on U.S. Route 192 when she collided with the motorcyclist at an intersection, sending him and his helmet flying through the air. The man was left lying in the road with severe injuries, including multiple fractures, as his life hung in the balance.

Instead of stopping to help or call for emergency assistance, police say Tate continued driving, dragging the motorcycle under her car. She then attempted to hide in the parking lot of Coastal Hyundai, where surveillance cameras captured her desperate and unsuccessful attempt to dislodge the motorcycle from beneath her vehicle.

Authorities later released a photo showing the motorcycle still stuck under the front of Tate’s car. Despite her efforts, investigators were able to track her down and charge her with leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily harm—a felony—and tampering with evidence by trying to conceal her role in the accident.

Surveillance footage also showed Tate talking on her phone before a black sedan arrived to pick her up. Moments later, she was seen running through the dealership parking lot as law enforcement arrived at the scene.

She never called 911, provided any information, or offered assistance to the critically injured motorcyclist, authorities allege.

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Three days after the crash, the victim remained in critical condition, struggling to survive. Tate was later released on $17,500 bond. Her arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 1, where she will face charges for her actions that night.