Lake Worth PD: Driver flees after fatally hitting pedestrian

LAKE WORTH, Texas - Police are searching for a driver who fatally struck a 61-year-old man crossing a street Sunday night in Lake Worth and fled the scene.

Lake Worth police say Wesley Kranz was stuck while trying to cross the Jacksboro Highway and Roberts Cut Off intersection around 11 p.m. His friends say they were with him at a karaoke club and had crossed the street to a gas station.

Kranz’s friend, Michael Wilder, says Kranz had lost part of his vision, so he always used extra caution when crossing a street.

Surveillance video from a nearby business shows Good Samaritans stopping to help but didn’t capture the actual crash.

"He was loved in the community he grew up in. He was a respected man, a military veteran getting started on his retirement,” Wilder said. “He was a friend of my family. Met Wes when I was 5 years old. Rehab houses. Brought over a whole truckload of trains. Instantly was attached to him.”

Wilder says Kranz stayed on and became part of his family. He says Kranz had struggled for much of his life. But after arriving in Texas three months ago, his life was good.

"Had a rough time. Homeless throughout most of his life,” said Wilder. “Put him on a good path for retirement. We relocated him to Texas. Just a tragedy.”

A vehicle description has not been released, but police say they’re looking for one that received heavy damage in the front end due to the crash.

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Lake Worth Police Department.

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