Fatal hit-and-run accidents are becoming all too common

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – Wednesday night’s fatal hit-and-run crash involving Robert Lee Johnson, 60, of Jacksonville highlights a problem law enforcement is seeing across the state.

According to police, Johnson was crossing Avenue B near 45th Street when he was struck by a red Dodge Charger. The driver of the Dodge Charger did not stop to render aid to Johnson or call police to report what happened. Johnson later died at the hospital.

News4JAX spoke to two of Johnson’s friends at the scene where he was fatally hit. They were upset by what happened and demanded that the driver take responsibility.

“I think it could have been anybody’s father, brother or son. Whoever did this needs to own up and turn themselves in,” Terry Simpo said.

“Robert went to church all the time. He was a good guy. You have to give yourself up. Come here and give yourself up,” Osborne Hall said.

Tom Hackney, a retired JSO director of investigations and now a crime and security analyst for News4JAX, said hit-and-run accidents appear to be happening more frequently.

“It’s all too common, especially when you start looking at the statistics for these hit-and-run accidents, especially the ones that involve injuries and fatalities. These are staggering numbers. It’s not just about Jacksonville. This is happening all over the state and the country,” Hackney said.

According to the Florida Office of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, there were 104,273 hit-and-run accidents in Florida last year. Of those accidents, 271 resulted in fatalities. Of those, 159 of the victims were pedestrians and 47 were bicyclists.

It is unclear why hit-and-run drivers drive off without stopping to check on the person they hit or report that they hit a vehicle.

“People are not standing by and taking responsibility for what they have done,” Hackney said.

The data also revealed that more than 81 percent of hit-and-run deaths occurred at night or in the early morning hours before dawn. Hackney said there are a few factors that contribute to this specific data.

“People are crossing the street in dark clothing and stepping in front of cars. There are many factors that contribute to pedestrian-bicyclist accidents, but that doesn’t absolve the driver of the responsibility to do what they can to avoid hitting someone. It also doesn’t absolve the driver of the responsibility to follow the law,” Hackney said.

Florida law requires drivers involved in accidents that result in property damage, injury, or death to remain at the scene until emergency services arrive. The driver involved in the accident must also provide information about the accident to authorities.

Family members of victims of fatal hit-and-run accidents often demand justice for their loved ones. They will also want an explanation of what caused the accident and why their loved one was left abandoned in the street without the driver making any attempt to stop and render aid.

“They are left with so many questions and it’s bad enough to have lost a loved one. Maybe the pedestrian contributed to what happened, but when the driver doesn’t stay, the victim’s family feels like their loved one has been murdered because there is no justice and no answers to the questions. There is just a feeling of loss,” Hackney said.

If anyone has information that could help JSO locate the driver who killed Johnson, they are urged to call First Coast Crime Stoppers. The number is 1-866-845-TIPS (8477).