Police Finally Make Arrest in Drag Race Hit-and-Run
Derek W. Cook was arrested Monday as part of a vehicular homicide investigation
It took more than a year, but police have finally charged someone in the hit-and-run that killed two British tourists in front of their hotel on Fort Lauderdale beach.
On Monday, the Broward State Attorney's Office charged Ryan LeVin with two counts of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of an accident causing death. Police are looking for LeVin, who was also facing criminal charges in Illinois.
His friend, 38-year-old Derek W. Cook, was arrested and charged with accessory after the fact and aggravated fleeing and eluding.
Police claim Levin was the owner of the white Porsche 911 that allegedly ran down Craig Elford, 39, and 48-year-old Kenneth Watkinson. Cook is believed to have been in the car that was drag racing along A1A in the early morning hours of Feb. 13, 2009.
No witnesses saw the crash, but people nearby could hear the impact. Police believe the Porsche, likely driven by LeVin, lost control and traveled onto the sidewalk, hitting the tourists.
LeVin, who was on probation for leading Illinois police on a high-speed chase in 2006 at the time, told police Cook was driving.
The two Brits' bodies were found near the entrance of the Courtyard Marriott on the beach.
The Porsche 911 was found abandoned near the Interstate 595 and I-95 interchange with a battered hood.
The accident made national headlines because of LeVin, who is the spawn of the founders of founders of Jewels by Park Lane.
Posted Monday, Mar 15, 2010 - 4:19 PM EST
