>> AFTER HEARING ABOUT THE DEADLY HIT AND RUN ON EAST 5TH STREET AND JAMES AVENUE IN APRIL. MARINA CHURCH SAYS THE FIRST THING SHE DID WAS CHECK OR CAMERAS. WE LIVE OFF THE OVER ROAD FROM HERE AND MY HUSBAND RIGHT AWAY. AND WHEN HE WENT TO COMMUNIST TO SEE LIKE IF THERE’S SOME KIND OF LIKE SUSPICIOUS CAR OR LOOK UNUSUAL CAR WAS THAT I MEAN, BY FOR SURE. WITH THE NIGHT TO SEE LOOK WHAT? >> IF SOME KIND OF CONDEMNATION BUT NO WITHIN SEE ANYTHING. MARINA SAYS IT’S A RELIEF TO HEAR SOMEONE WAS FINALLY ARRESTED FOR RON WILKE STAFF. I SEE THAT THE VICTIM WAS VERY ALOFT GUY. I SEE HOW HIS FAMILY THIS EASTER. SLOW CAN FULL PENSION TO THIS CASE. I’M I HOPE TO FOLLOW THAT. I PERSONALLY FAMILY MEMBERS WILL FEEL. SO SOME KIND OF PEACE AND THEY’RE HARD TO PER SE. IT TOOK WEEKS OF INVESTIGATING TO FIND AND ARREST. ALEX FERNANDEZ TODAY. >> FOR HITTING WILK AND LEAVING THE SCENE, FHP SAID THEY FOUND BOTH CARS THEY BELIEVE WERE INVOLVED IN THE CRASH AND NOW SAY FERNANDEZ WAS THE ONLY DRIVER WHO KILLED HIM. YES, HE OUTSOURCED GET THE VEHICLE FIXED. AND, YOU KNOW, JUST GOES ON TO SHOW A CRIMINAL INTENT, A CRIMINAL PATTERN THAT COVER THIS HERE. YOU CAN SEE THE CAR. THEY SAY FERNANDEZ DROVE THAT NIGHT AND FOUND IN FRONT OF A HOME IN LEHIGH AFTER REPAINTING IT. THEY SAY THE REPAIRS TO THE BUMPER AND HUBCAP MATCHED A DESCRIPTION FROM A WITNESS. HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS HAVE CONTINUED PUSHING FOR ANSWERS. WE SPOKE TO SISTER LAST WEEK. I KNOW THEY’RE DEALING WITH IT EVERY YOU HAVE TO WAKE-UP BEEN IN EVERY DAY AND REALIZE THAT YOU TOOK SOMEBODY’S LIFE. >> RON’S FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE A CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR HI
Suspected driver arrested in April Lehigh Acres hit-and-run crash that killed bicyclist
Updated: 7:27 PM EDT May 13, 2026
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The Florida Highway Patrol announced on Wednesday that it has arrested the suspected driver in a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred in Lehigh Acres in April.According to FHP, after an extensive criminal investigation, troopers arrested Alex Daniel Briceno Fernandez, 37.Briceno Fernandez is accused of being the driver of the car involved in the crash that killed 32-year-old Ron Wilk, who was riding a bike at the time, on April 2 on East 5th Street and James Avenue.Briceno Fernandez faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash with death and tampering with evidence. After hearing about the incident, Marina Church, a Lehigh Acres resident, said she immediately checked her home security cameras for any suspicious activity. “We live off the road from here. My husband right away, went to camera to see if there was some kind of suspicious car or unusual car driving by. We tried to see if we could give some kind of information, but no, we didn’t see anything,” Church said. Church expressed relief upon hearing about the arrest. “I see that the victim was very loved guy. I see how his family, his sister, were looking for attention to this case. I hope they found the right person, and family members will feel some kind of peace in their heart,” she said. “He outsourced to get the vehicle fixed. That, that just goes on to show a criminal intent, criminal pattern to cover this up,” Lt. Greg Bueno said with Florida Highway Patrol.Authorities said the car Fernandez drove that night was found at a home in Lehigh Acres after being repainted. Repairs to the bumper and hubcap matched witness descriptions. Friends and family plan to gather for Ron Wilk’s celebration of life this weekend.Remembering Ron Wilk”My brother deserves justice. He was only 32. He had a whole life to live, and now he doesn’t,” said Megan Wilk, Ron’s sister, speaking through tears in an interview with Gulf Coast News earlier this month.A memorial was placed at the intersection where the crash occurred, serving as a reminder of the tragedy. Megan hopes it encourages drivers to be safer and held accountable.Reflecting on the loss, Megan added, “It sucks. That is, it had to happen to my brother, and I just hope that, I don’t know, I hope that things start to change down there. It’s terrible. It’s terrible the way people drive!”The search for the vehiclesFlorida Highway Patrol found two vehicles believed to be involved in the crash. Troopers are continuing to work to determine whether one or two vehicles were involved in the deadly hit-and-run. On April 2, troopers impounded a red Ford SUV with front damage from a residence in Lehigh Acres.Witnesses reported seeing a red SUV and a Toyota sedan at the scene. On April 8, troopers found a blue Toyota sedan in front of a home in Lehigh Acres, which had repairs to its bumper and missing hubcaps matching witness descriptions. Previous Coverage:Bicyclist dies in hit-and-run crash in Lehigh Acres, FHP searching for 2 vehicles Family seeks justice after cyclist killed in Lehigh Acres hit-and-run Second vehicle impounded in deadly Lehigh Acres hit-and-run crash investigation Vigil held for bicyclist killed in Lehigh Acres hit-and-run FHP still searches for suspects in deadly Lehigh Acres hit-and-run with a bicyclist one month later DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
The Florida Highway Patrol announced on Wednesday that it has arrested the suspected driver in a fatal hit-and-run crash that occurred in Lehigh Acres in April.
According to FHP, after an extensive criminal investigation, troopers arrested Alex Daniel Briceno Fernandez, 37.
Briceno Fernandez is accused of being the driver of the car involved in the crash that killed 32-year-old Ron Wilk, who was riding a bike at the time, on April 2 on East 5th Street and James Avenue.
Briceno Fernandez faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash with death and tampering with evidence.
After hearing about the incident, Marina Church, a Lehigh Acres resident, said she immediately checked her home security cameras for any suspicious activity.
“We live off the road from here. My husband right away, went to camera to see if there was some kind of suspicious car or unusual car driving by. We tried to see if we could give some kind of information, but no, we didn’t see anything,” Church said.
Church expressed relief upon hearing about the arrest.
“I see that the victim was very loved guy. I see how his family, his sister, were looking for attention to this case. I hope they found the right person, and family members will feel some kind of peace in their heart,” she said.
“He outsourced to get the vehicle fixed. That, that just goes on to show a criminal intent, criminal pattern to cover this up,” Lt. Greg Bueno said with Florida Highway Patrol.
Authorities said the car Fernandez drove that night was found at a home in Lehigh Acres after being repainted. Repairs to the bumper and hubcap matched witness descriptions.
Friends and family plan to gather for Ron Wilk’s celebration of life this weekend.
“My brother deserves justice. He was only 32. He had a whole life to live, and now he doesn’t,” said Megan Wilk, Ron’s sister, speaking through tears in an interview with Gulf Coast News earlier this month.
A memorial was placed at the intersection where the crash occurred, serving as a reminder of the tragedy. Megan hopes it encourages drivers to be safer and held accountable.
Reflecting on the loss, Megan added, “It sucks. That is, it had to happen to my brother, and I just hope that, I don’t know, I hope that things start to change down there. It’s terrible. It’s terrible the way people drive!”
Florida Highway Patrol found two vehicles believed to be involved in the crash.
Troopers are continuing to work to determine whether one or two vehicles were involved in the deadly hit-and-run.
On April 2, troopers impounded a red Ford SUV with front damage from a residence in Lehigh Acres.
Witnesses reported seeing a red SUV and a Toyota sedan at the scene. On April 8, troopers found a blue Toyota sedan in front of a home in Lehigh Acres, which had repairs to its bumper and missing hubcaps matching witness descriptions.
Previous Coverage:
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
