Man hits two bicyclists, runs, hides

PANAMA CITY BEACH - A man who hit two 15-year-olds on their bicycles and then drove away from the scene is in custody, officials said Tuesday.

Chad D. Mattson, 26, was driving a 2007 Nissan Altima at about 6 p.m. Monday night when he struck Taylor Smith and Mark J. Ecklund II from behind while the duo were riding their bicycles, The Florida Highway Patrol said in a news release. All of the individuals are from Panama City Beach and they all were heading south on Thomas Drive. Troopers noted that Smith and Ecklund were on the four-foot paved shoulder of the roadway when they were struck.

Smith is in critical condition at Bay Medical Center while Ecklund was treated and released, officials said. Mattson drove his car to Half Hitch Tackle, 2206 Thomas Drive, and then abandoned his car and hid in the woods until he was captured by Bay County Sheriff’s deputies. Mattson is charged with leaving the scene of a crash with serious injuries.