An investigation into a hit-and-run crash Tuesday led to the arrest of a 31-year-old Jupiter man on vehicle and drug charges.

Police say Shawn Charles Smith fled in his van after rear-ending a car at about 1 p.m. Tuesday on the 100 block of West Indiantown Road, near Alternate State Road A1A.

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The alleged victims told police Smith appeared to signal that he was pulling over following the crash but instead sped away. The victims followed Smith to a home near Sixth Street and South Old Dixie Highway, where he parked the van.

When Smith noticed he was being followed, he sped away southbound, town police said.

The victims lost sight of Smith on southbound Alternate A1A. However, a detective spotted him speeding and driving recklessly in the town’s Abacoa neighborhood, near Central Boulevard and Main Street, and stopped him, according to a police arrest report.

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The license plate on Smith’s van was registered to another vehicle. Smith reportedly told investigators he left the crash scene because of fear.

He also said he had a syringe in his pocket that he uses to inject marijuana, police said. A subsequent search of the car revealed four additional syringes and a powder that tested positive for amphetamines.

He was arrested on charges that include leaving the scene of an accident with property damage, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to register a motor vehicle.

He was released from the Palm Beach County Jail late Wednesday after posting $6,000.

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