Man arrested after suspected hit-and-run knocks down multiple mailboxes in Port Charlotte

Multiple mailboxes along Glendale Avenue in Port Charlotte are completely knocked down, after witnesses say it was a hit-and-run crash. "The gentleman came around the bend a little hot and hit the light pole, backed up, and then narrowly missed the children," said Savannah Minnix. Savannah Minnix was picking up her son on Monday, when she said she saw a dark-colored sedan slam into a light pole near Lakeshore Circle and Picnic Street. She says the driver then backed up, nearly hitting her car, before driving away. "I was honestly concerned because of the way he was driving," said Minnix. Deputies say Matthew Linder was reportedly behind the wheel. "He wasn't able to stay within the lines. He wasn't able to like maintain control of the vehicle," said Minnix. Savannah's partner and son also witnessed the crash. Both said they saw the driver hit multiple mailboxes, and drive further off the road into a yard. Her son told deputies he also saw the sedan's bumper in the roadway. At one point, witnesses said they saw Linder near the driver's side door, curled up in a fetal position. "He curled up fetal position on the ground and started dry crying about how his life was ruined," said Minnix. According to the arrest report, Linder denied hitting the mailboxes, but a deputy was able to connect the reported damage to Linder's car. Savannah says she's grateful no one was hurt, but hopes this serves as a wake-up call for the driver. "Everybody makes mistakes. Some of them are more expensive than others," said Minnix. During a search, a deputy also found a pill wrapped in tissue paper, but Linder reportedly could not provide a prescription for it. Deputies say they found no other contraband. Deputies arrested Linder and he faces charges of leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and possessing a controlled substance without a prescription. 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.