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Driver in fatal hit-and-run near Lake Worth Beach treated at methadone clinic minutes before crash

Celeste Bokstrom, 45, abandoned car used in crash near cemetery, according to arrest affidavit
A bicyclist was fatally struck by a hit-and-run driver near Lake Worth Beach Wednesday morning.
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PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. — New details are being released in the case of a bicyclist killed by hit-and-run driver near Lake Worth Beach.

Deputies arrested Celeste Bokstrom, 45, in the fatal crash involving bicyclist Oscar Lopez, 70. The crash happened back at around 10:30 a.m. back on July 6, 2022.

Palm Beach County Sheriff's deputies located Bokstrom at her home a short time after the fatality occurred.

According to an arrest affidavit, Bokstrom told detectives that she abandoned the car used in the crash at a cemetery in an attempt to hide it. She said she then walked away and called a friend to come pick her up and take her home.

Celeste Bokstrom
Deputies book Celeste Bokstrom, 45, into Palm Beach County Main Detention Center on Jan. 12, 2023.

Bokstrom also admitted to receiving treatment at a methadone clinic on Lake Worth Road minutes before the crash. Bokstrom said that she has been going to treatment for several years and that she takes 120mg of methadone every time she goes to the clinic, according to the affidavit.

Detectives said that while speaking with Bokstrom, she exhibited multiple signs of impairment including, "dozing off" during the interview, "slow movements, slow slurred speech, raspy voice and constricted pupils."

Surveillance video obtained from detectives showed Bokstrom arriving at the clinic at 10:04 a.m. and leaving the clinic at 10:23 a.m., just minutes before the crash and a half-mile from the crash scene.

Bokstrom was booked into Palm Beach County Jail on Thursday.

She faces numerous charges, including the scene of a crash involving death and tampering with evidence.

If you have any information regarding the 2007 crimes with ties to the Town Center at Boca Raton, call Crime Stoppers of Palm Beach County at 800-458-TIPS. Tipsters could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000. You can remain anonymous.

You can also contact the detectives assigned to these cold cases using the information below:

Detective Scott Hanley
Boca Raton Police Department
shanley@myboca.us
561-338-1344

Detective William Springer
Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
springerw@pbso.org
561-688-4013