Lehigh Acres family celebrates life of bicyclist killed in April hit-and-run after suspect's arrest

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. —

Family and friends gathered at the Veterans of Foreign Wars in Lehigh Acres to celebrate the life of Ron Wilk, who died in a hit-and-run crash earlier this year.

"He was absolutely-he was loved. He was. I mean, he was a ham. And we all are just enjoying seeing each other and, you know, talking about him and we're just happy also that, you know, he got justice. And the person that is responsible for this is going to pay for, you know, his crime," said Wilk's sister, Megan Wilk.

Wilk died in April after a driver hit him while he was riding his bicycle on East Fifth Street and James Avenue, then drove away from the scene.

The Florida Highway Patrol said they arrested Alex Daniel Briceno Fernandez, 37, earlier this week for the deadly hit-and-run and tampering with evidence.

"We were very happy. Very happy. I mean, it's sad in the same sense, but it's what needed to be done. And it's justice for my brother," Megan Wilk said.

Wilk's family said they are applauding the Florida Highway Patrol for keeping them updated throughout the investigation and bringing justice.

"Well, I do want to say that I am very, very satisfied with Corporal Torrez. She did a phenomenal job with this investigation. I think that people need to be more aware of being more courteous and respectful on the streets. That's one big, huge problem here in Lee County. I'm very thankful that they found him and they got him arrested," said Wilk's aunt, Lorie Mans.

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

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