DBPD: Suspect In Fatal Biker Hit And Run Arrested In GA

Posted
video-still Daytona Beach, FL - DBPD have arrested and charged a suspect in Sunday's hit and run that left a Bunnell motorcyclist dead. Daytona Beach Police Chief Mike Chitwood held a press conference on Friday announcing that 19-year-old Christopher Moore had been arrested and charged in the death of Roger Martin Jr. on Sunday. Using technology put in place by Chitwood, investigators were able to identify the vehicle responsible for killing Martin as a green 2000 Dodge Caravan registered to Stanley Warren in Valdosta, GA. Detectives were sent to Valdosta where they continued the investigation alongside Lowndes County Sheriff's (LCSO) detectives. With help from LCSO, the suspect vehicle was located at Lowndes High School and witnesses to the homicide were identified, witnesses who were in the van when Moore killed Martin. Thanks to the cooperation of the witnesses, investigators were able to determine that a fight took place outside of Cruisin Cafe at 2 S Atlantic Ave. in Daytona Beach. During Friday's press conference Chitwood said this altercation was "over something really stupid... about the appearance of motorcycles." A second fight happened near Peninsula and Auditorium which ended when Martin went into Moore's van and put the vehicle in drive, then he and his friend got back on their motorcycles and drove away. According to the witnesses, the then 18-year-old Moore said "I'm about to get them. They f****d up the van, I'm going to get them. Ain't no-one gonna mess with this murder gang." Moore then started driving aggressively to catch up to Martin. The witnesses said Moore ran multiple stop lights and crossed medians to catch up to Martin then deliberately rammed Martin's motorcycle in the 100 block of Fairview. The witnesses say there is "no doubt" that Moore swerved intentionally to hit Martin. Martin was thrown from the motorcycle which then became lodged under the van. Moore drove the van 2 blocks away then drove over a median to dislodge the motorcycle, leaving Martin to die. Then, "being the great bunch of citizens that they are... the cowards all go to the La Quinta at the 2500 block of West ISB and they spend the night where they hatch a plan on how they're going to cover up the murder," said Chitwood at the press conference. Detectives from DBPD and LCSO interviewed Moore and he was arrested despite claiming Martin's death was an accident. He's been charged with Leaving the Scene of a Crash With Death, which is a felony. He's being held in Lowndes County in Georgia without bond. Moore is expected to be extradited back to Volusia County and additional charges are pending.   unnamed

(Christopher Moore photo courtesy LCSO)

Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2016.