Polo Club Resident Charged in Hit-and-Run Crash Injuring Driver

Rhoda Prager, 89, faces felony for leaving scene of collision outside gated community

Apr. 18, 2026 at 12:37pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a damaged car sensor or side mirror, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the evidence gathered in a hit-and-run investigation.A recent hit-and-run crash outside a Boca Raton gated community has led to felony charges, exposing the legal obligations of drivers involved in collisions.Boca Raton Today

An 89-year-old resident of The Polo Club of Boca Raton has been charged with a felony for allegedly leaving the scene of a crash that injured another driver just outside the gated community. Rhoda Prager was arrested after an investigation by the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office linked her red sedan to the October 2025 collision at the intersection of North Military Trail and Champion Boulevard.

Why it matters

The case highlights how incidents occurring just outside neighborhood gates can still be closely tied to the community, both in terms of access points and the role private security can play in identifying vehicles and preserving evidence for criminal investigations. It also underscores Florida's laws requiring drivers involved in crashes with injuries to remain at the scene.

The details

According to deputies, the crash happened around 10:10 p.m. on October 8, 2025 at the intersection near The Polo Club's entrance. The driver of a Honda Odyssey, Melanie Meltzer, was transported to the hospital with injuries after her vehicle was struck by another car attempting a U-turn. Security personnel at The Polo Club reported seeing a red sedan with damage enter the community shortly after, leading deputies to Prager's residence where they observed damage consistent with the crash on her vehicle.

  • The crash occurred around 10:10 p.m. on October 8, 2025.
  • Prager was arrested and booked into the Palm Beach County Jail on April 17, 2026.

The players

Rhoda Prager

An 89-year-old resident of The Polo Club of Boca Raton who was charged with a felony for leaving the scene of the crash.

Melanie Meltzer

The driver of the Honda Odyssey who was injured in the collision and transported to the hospital.

The Polo Club of Boca Raton

A gated community in Boca Raton, Florida where Prager lives and where security personnel reported seeing the vehicle involved in the crash enter shortly after the incident.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency that handled the investigation and arrest in this case.

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What they’re saying

“She later told deputies she had been driving southbound on Military Trail with a green light when another vehicle attempted a U-turn in front of her, leaving her no time to avoid the collision.”

— Melanie Meltzer, Injured driver

“During initial contact, Prager told deputies she received a 'pre-collision' warning in her vehicle in the area and believed she may have struck a curb while turning. She said she did not think she had been involved in a crash and would have stopped if she knew.”

— Rhoda Prager

What’s next

The case now moves through the Palm Beach County court system, where prosecutors will decide how to proceed. The charge is an allegation and has not been proven in court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of drivers remaining at the scene of a crash, even if they believe they may not have been directly involved. It also shows how private security and surveillance can aid law enforcement investigations, even for incidents occurring just outside a gated community.