JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One man died and a second was injured in a hit-and-run crash early Sunday morning on Rowe Avenue, less than a mile from Edgewood Avenue West, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.
Police said Kyle Connor Gay, 23, was walking south on Rowe Avenue at about 1 a.m. Sunday, pushing a shopping cart, when he and another person were struck from behind by a car near Gainesville Road off Lem Turner.
Police said a light-colored vehicle struck the men, who were both taken to UF Health Jacksonville, where Gay died. The second person's injuries were described as non-life-threatening. His name was not released.
Kyle Gay's shopping cart was left mangled from the impact.
Police are searching for the truck, which possibly has front-end damage. They said the driver turned left on Gainesville Road and never turned around.
“I could have forgiven them for an accident, but for leaving him in the street, it’s kind of hard to forgive somebody for that,” Kyle Gay's father, Derek Gay, said. “I understand they drug him with the car. They didn’t stop to see if he was still alive, or if they could help him.”
Derek Gay said his son was a sweet, spirited young man who loved his family.
"Everyone in our neighborhood knew him," the family posted on a YouCaring.com page that was set up to help with funeral expenses. "He would do anything to help people. Our hearts are broken. We need your help. We have no money to bury our son any help and prayers would be graciously appreciated."
In 2014, there were 11 people killed in hit-and-run crashes, and only five arrests were made. The number killed dropped to six, with one arrest, in 2015. Last year, it spiked again to 13 people killed, including one triple-fatal crash. Three arrests were made in those hit-and-run cases.
“This is going on every day. I know my son is not the only one this has happened to. But, it’s different. You never think it’s going to happen to you. It can happen to anybody, any time. And the only way that we’re gone make things better is if people start looking out for each other,” Derek Gay said. “Tomorrow, we’ve got to go down and look at my son, laying there dead. I don’t wish that on anybody.”
Traffic homicide detectives are investigating the crash. Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS (8477), or the JSO's non-emergency number 904-630-0500.