Ocala Woman Arrested for Fatal Hit and Run Involving Bicyclist

A 43-year-old woman has been taken into custody after she was accused of fatally striking a bicyclist with her vehicle and fleeing the scene of the accident.

The incident occurred on Sunday, January 7, at approximately 6:35 p.m. Ocala Police Department (OPD) officers were alerted to a crash involving a bicycle and a vehicle in the 3100 block of NW Blitchton Road, near Sunbelt Rentals.

Tragically, the bicyclist, identified as 61-year-old Louis Osiel, sustained severe injuries and was pronounced deceased at the crash site.

In response to the incident, an OPD traffic homicide investigator promptly arrived at the scene to conduct a thorough investigation into the traffic fatality.

According to the police department, the driver of the vehicle involved in the collision, Elizabeth Pizzonia, initially fled the scene but later returned shortly after.

Upon inspection, officers reported that Pizzonia displayed signs of impairment, including bloodshot eyes, slurred speech, and the smell of alcohol on her breath. Subsequently, Pizzonia underwent several field sobriety tests, which revealed her inability to maintain balance, follow instructions, and perform basic movements correctly.

Following her failure on the field sobriety tests, Pizzonia refused to provide a voluntary blood sample, and later on, she also declined to provide a breath sample, as confirmed by OPD.

As a result of her actions, Pizzonia was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where she is currently being held without bond. She now faces serious charges including leaving the scene of a crash with a death and DUI manslaughter.

At present, no court date has been scheduled, according to jail records.