Dunedin Arrest Made in Tandem Bicycle Hit and Run

(This story is written and reported by Local Editor Jared Leone.)

A Dunedin man was blacked out while driving home from work on Clearwater Beach and hit two riders on a tandem bicycle on Labor Day, according to Clearwater Police.

Christopher Patrick Weed, 29, of Dunedin, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of an accident involving death and leaving the scene of an accident involving serious bodily injury Tuesday, according to Clearwater Police. 

Weed, who works at a hotel on Clearwater Beach, blacked out after driving home from work and doesn't remember anything until he awoke in the shower later Monday and saw the incident on the news, Rob Shaw, Clearwater Police spokesman, said in a release.

Robert W. Lemon, 26, of Largo, died from injuries sustained in the Monday morning accident.

The other rider, Hilary C. Michalak, 27, of Largo, sustained life-threatening injuries and was taken by Bayflite to Bayfront Medical Center. She is in critical condition.

The couple are seen on a video at the beach in the roundabout area around 6:10 a.m. riding the tandem bicycle, Shaw said. A couple minutes later, a green 1997 Nissan pickup is seen in the same area.

An anonymous tip clued detectives in that Weed might be the suspect. Further investigation discovered the truck, without a windshield, in the backyard of Weed's Clearwater home.

The couple were found on the side of Memorial Causeway by a passing driver.

Related coverage:

• Bicyclist Dead After Hit and Run