Bradenton man gets prison after running over man on Palma Sola Causeway
An 18-year-old Bradenton man is set to spend more than a decade in prison after police say he intentionally ran over another man with his car following an argument.
A Manatee County judge sentenced Connor Fleener to 12 years in the Department of Corrections with credit for time served in juvenile detention, followed by 15 years of probation, according to court records.
The sentence stems from an Aug. 8, 2023, hit-and-run on the Palma Sola Causeway that seriously injured a 36-year-old man, according to the Bradenton Police Department.
Court records show Fleener pleaded no contest in February to first-degree attempted murder, driving without a valid driver’s license and causing serious bodily injury or death and leaving the scene of a crash with serious bodily injury.
An attorney representing Fleener did not immediately respond to the Bradenton Herald’s request for comment.
Bradenton man sentenced in Palma Sola Causeway crash
Police say the crash happened in the 8400 block of Manatee Ave. W. near Palma Sola Causeway Park.
Investigators said Fleener and the victim were arguing on the side of the road when Fleener drove away, then turned around, accelerated and intentionally struck the man with his car before fleeing the scene.
Fleener abandoned his vehicle about a mile from the crash site and ran away, police said.
A witness followed Fleener in a vehicle before losing sight of him behind a nearby house, according to an arrest warrant. Investigators said that witness later identified Fleener in a photo lineup.
Detectives said they found and arrested Fleener later that night.
The sentencing was presided over by Judge Matt Whyte in the Manatee County Judicial Center in downtown Bradenton, according to court records.
The victim continues to suffer injuries caused by the crash, according to police.
According to court records, this isn’t the first criminal traffic offense Fleener has faced. In February 2022, Fleener pleaded no contest to driving without a valid license, a second-degree misdemeanor. The following year, Fleener pleaded no contest to driving while his license was suspended.
