Driver Sought in Fatal Jacksonville Beach Hit-and-Run Pedestrian Accident
The Jacksonville Beach Police Department is on the lookout for a 30-year-old man connected to a fatal hit-and-run pedestrian accident that occurred on Saturday night, January 22 according to a report on Channel 4. The man is being sought following the death of a 35-year-old man who was struck by a vehicle in the 1200 block of Shetter Avenue after 7:30 p.m. The man was found in the back parking lot of Beach Plaza near Penman Road and the driver apparently fled the scene of the accident. This article says nothing about what connection the man being sought has to the death and how he has been identified, only that he is wanted for questioning.
Police are looking for a man with a white 2005 Acura TL. The Florida license plate number is No. 925IRG and the man is described as 6 foot tall and 200 pounds. The Jacksonville Police Department’s number is (904) 270-1661.
Florida Hit-and-Run Accidents
Why do drivers leave the scene of an accident? Overwhelmingly, they panic. The driver may be intoxicated, may be driving without a license or have an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Unfortunately, leaving the scene makes matters worse for them and turns what may be a misdemeanor into a felony.
Under Florida Statute 316, the driver of any vehicle involved in a crash that results in injury must immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the crash and remain at the scene to render aid and answer questions. A failure to do so and the offender has committed a felony of the third degree punishable by up to 5 years in prison. When there is a death, the hit-and-run driver is guilty of a felony of the first degree punishable by a prison term not to exceed 30 years.
The Jacksonville Beach personal injury lawyers at Farah & Farah have many years of experience helping injured victims in Florida receive compensation following a car or pedestrian accident. If you have been injured in a car crash or pedestrian accident that involved a hit-and-run driver, call our law office today to learn how we can help.
