By Rachel Galvin

At approximately 10 p.m. on Sept. 13,  there was a hit & run on Federal Highway in the southbound lane right south of 49 Street in Lighthouse Point. The victim was a local homeless man, Claude Michaud, 62. Firetrucks and police cars surrounded the scene.

A man was with his friend at McDonald’s and saw the scene unfold. He says a “green truck” hit the man, paused momentarily once he reached the corner and then drove off. BSO has expanded to look for all dark colored vehicles.

Another witness said, “I heard a noise, a screech, and I came around to get a parfait at McDonalds and that’s when I saw the body.”

They speculated over why the man might have driven away, saying he “could have had a case… look there are no lights here,” pointing to the street light above on the opposite side of the street. “But he drove off…”

They shared stories about the man they knew, speaking of him fondly, saying he never really bothered anyone; but he was arrested several times for trespassing. They said he would sleep behind the 7-11 or behind the wall just behind the nearby bus stop, but kept getting told he was not allowed to stay there.

Detectives are searching for the driver. Investigators urge anyone with information to contact BSO Detective Michael Kelliher at 954-321-4840. Anonymous tips can be made to Broward Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477 or www.browardcrimestoppers.org.