INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Florida Highway Patrol has located the truck involved in a fatal hit-and-run that killed a bicyclist Sunday after the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office Real-Time Crime Center helped identify it.
An RTCC analyst looking through leads noticed a truck that matched the description of the vehicle in the crash. One clear match was a missing passenger-side mirror, the sheriff’s office said.
Using Flock Safety cameras and other resources, the analyst was able to pull the truck’s license plate and driver information. That information was turned over to FHP investigators right away.
Troopers later found the vehicle and confirmed it was connected to the crash. The investigation is still active.
How do Flock cameras work?
Flock Safety cameras are automated license plate readers used by law enforcement agencies across Florida and the country.
Most are solar-powered and sit on poles along roads. When a vehicle drives by, the camera takes a few still photos of the back of the vehicle. Software reads the license plate and notes other details, such as color, make, and any obvious damage or missing parts. It also records the time and which camera caught it.
Investigators can later search those records by plate number or by the vehicle’s description. The data is typically deleted after about 30 days unless it’s kept for an active investigation.
The cameras do not use facial recognition. They’re designed to focus on vehicles, not people.
The sheriff’s office said the case shows how the Real-Time Crime Center works with other agencies. Analysts review camera data and other leads every day to help move investigations forward.
