It is illegal in Florida to run from the scene of a traffic accident you have just been involved in, but that is exactly what happened on Jacksonville’s Westside Saturday, December 10, in a hit-and-run that left a 22-year-old woman dead. It happened on Normandy Boulevard where the young woman from Starke was walking. According to the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), a Chevy pickup truck had turned east onto Normandy about 9:15 p.m. from Parrish Cemetery Road where it struck the young woman and continued driving east. She reportedly died at the scene. Witnesses are asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (904) 695-4000.
According to a story by the Florida Times Union, the woman was walking in the eastbound lanes of the road and was in “an alcohol-related condition at the time.” Upon impact, her body landed on Normandy Boulevard.
Late Sunday night, December 11, a 47-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the hit-and-run as the driver of the truck. She is facing a few charges, including: having no drivers license, a crash involving a death, and leaving the scene of an accident. FHP also took alcohol tests on her and the results are pending.
Florida Hit-and-Runs
The driver of any vehicle in Florida involved in a crash that results in injury or death must stop the vehicle immediately under Florida Statute 316.027. To fail to do so is a third degree felony that can involve up to 5 years behind bars. If the victim dies, the felony becomes first degree and can bring up to 30 years in prison.
If you know who hit and killed this woman, or any other pedestrian, there is an ethical and a practical reason to turn her in. Not only do you get a dangerous and reckless driver off the road, but the Jacksonville hit and run accident attorneys of Farah & Farah, a member of Hit-and-Run Reward, will provide you with $1,000 if that person is convicted of the offense.
Unfortunately, Florida remains a leading state for pedestrian fatalities. The number for Hit-and-Run Reward (www.hitandrunreward.com) is 1(800) 644-8678. You may remain anonymous.
Source: http://www.news4jax.com/news/Woman-struck-killed-in-Westside-hit-and-run/-/475880/5174460/-/ppdkwi/-/index.html; http://jacksonville.com/news/crime/2011-12-11/story/22-year-old-woman-killed-while-walking-normandy-boulevard
