JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville family and police are asking for any information related to a hit-and-run crash last month that killed a father of two.
The crash happened Aug. 8 just before midnight on University Boulevard South near Bartram Road in the Spring Glen area.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, a pedestrian was crossing the road when he was struck by an unknown vehicle. Police said the pedestrian, who was identified by his family as 56-year-old David Howell Jr., was taken to an area hospital, where he died Aug. 9.
“We just want answers,” said his brother, Todd Howell.
The family told News4Jax that David Howell Jr. was an Army veteran who loved sports, coaching football, and being a father to his son and daughter. The family said that he was looking forward to taking his daughter, age 5, to her first day of kindergarten, but he never got the chance.
“You never expect your child to go before you. He was my oldest, and it hurts me so bad,” his father, David Howell Sr., said as he started to cry.
His mother, Queen Howell, said: “Not to be able to hear from him anymore is just hard.”
For the past month, David Howell Jr.’s parents have retraced his path.
“We go through here every day,” Queen Howell said. “We even roll through at night to see how dark this area would be.”
The family has a message for the person behind the wheel.
“We forgive you. We just wanna know why,” Queen Howell said.
David Howell Sr. said: “Why would you just leave him there like that?”
Police on Wednesday asked for anyone with information about the crash to contact JSO by calling 904-630-0500 or emailing JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward of up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).
According to News4Jax records, David Howell Jr. is one of eight people killed in hit-and-run crashes in Duval County so far this year. None of these cases have been solved.
“Without compelling evidence, such as a witness or physical evidence, it’s very difficult to solve. You’ve got to have those elements,” said News4Jax crime and safety expert Ken Jefferson.
Data obtained by News4Jax also reveals that only about 20% of the 64 fatal hit-and-run cases over the past six years have ended in an arrest.