West Melbourne Man Charged with Second-Degree Murder Following Teen’s Death

A 32-year-old man from West Melbourne, Kavan Vishnubhai Patel, has been rearrested and faces a second-degree murder charge following the death of a 14-year-old boy, Hunter Russey, who was allegedly hit by Patel’s vehicle. Police report that Patel initially struck Russey while the boy was riding an electric bicycle and then left the scene without providing assistance.

Russey was found unresponsive on Cocoanut Grove Avenue and was transported to Holmes Regional Medical Center with serious injuries. He was later moved to Orlando Health Children’s Arnold Palmer Hospital, where he remained on life support until October 17, when he was taken off life support and passed away. His family has opted to donate his organs. Patel’s involvement in the incident was initially denied, but he confessed after police interrogation. He was rearrested around 10 a.m. on October 18 and is currently held without bond at the Brevard County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.