Fatal Bicycle Accident on Southeast 17th Street in Fort Lauderdale, FL on June 25, 2026

A fatal bicycle crash shut down part of the Southeast 17th Street causeway bridge in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday morning as police investigated a reported hit-and-run.

Authorities said the crash was reported at about 6:40 a.m. in the 2000 block of Southeast 17th Street, in the bridge's eastbound lanes. Early reports indicated a woman riding a bicycle eastbound was struck by a vehicle, and the driver left the scene.

The bicyclist was taken to Broward Health Medical Center as a trauma patient but later died from her injuries. She was identified as 68-year-old Shelley Lewis.

Investigators said witnesses described the vehicle as dark in color. By Thursday afternoon, police had identified a suspect driver, 22-year-old Don Janea Smith. Authorities said Smith was charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death, and additional charges could follow as the investigation continues.

The crash also had a significant traffic impact during the morning commute. Eastbound lanes on the Southeast 17th Street causeway bridge were closed for hours while officers and detectives processed the scene, and traffic was rerouted before the roadway later reopened.

As the investigation moves forward, official crash reports, witness statements, and any available surveillance or vehicle evidence may help clarify exactly what happened in the eastbound bike lane area. For families dealing with a fatal crash in Fort Lauderdale, keeping medical records, insurance correspondence, and any information from investigators organized can be important in the days ahead.