Fatal hit-and-run accidents are becoming more common

JACKSONVILLE, Florida. – The fatal hit-and-run crash of 60-year-old Robert Lee Johnson of Jacksonville Wednesday night highlights a problem facing law enforcement 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 help Johnson or call police to report the incident. Johnson later died in the hospital.

News4JAX spoke to two of Johnson’s friends at the scene of his fatal crash. They were shocked by the incident and called on the driver to take responsibility.

“I think this could have been anyone’s father, brother or son. Whoever did it needs to recognize this and face it,” Terry Simpo said.

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

Retired JSO chief of investigations and current News4JAX crime and safety analyst Tom Hackney said hit-and-run accidents appear to be becoming more common.

“This happens far too often, especially when you look at the statistics on hit-and-run accidents, especially those with injuries and fatalities. These are just horrifying numbers. This is not just the case in Jacksonville. This is the case across the state and country,” Hackney said.

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

It is unclear why a hit-and-run driver would drive away without stopping to check on the person he hit or to report the collision with a vehicle.

“People don’t stay and take responsibility for what they did,” Hackney said.

The data also showed that more than 81% of fatal hit-and-run crashes occurred at night or in the early morning before sunrise. Hackney said there are a few factors that contribute to this specific data.

“People cross the street in dark clothing and run in front of cars. There are many factors that affect pedestrians and cyclists and contribute to accidents, but that does not relieve the driver of the responsibility to do everything possible to avoid collisions. Nor does it relieve the driver of the responsibility to obey the law,” Hackney said.

Florida law requires drivers involved in accidents that result in property damage, injury, or death to remain at the scene of the accident until emergency responders arrive. The driver involved in the accident is also required to provide information about the accident to law enforcement.

Families of hit-and-run victims often demand justice for their loved ones. They also want an explanation as to what led to the accident and why their loved one was left lying on the road without the driver attempting to stop and render aid.

“They have so many questions and it’s bad enough that they’ve lost a loved one. Maybe the pedestrian contributed to the incident, but if the driver doesn’t stick around, the victim’s family feels like their loved one was murdered because there’s no justice and no answers to questions. All that’s left is a sense of loss,” Hackney said.

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