Florida

Families, FHP Want Info on Unsolved Hit and Runs

Family members who have lost loved ones teamed up with the Florida Highway Patrol Monday to kick-start an initiative to get people to speak up about unsolved hit and runs.

Fighting back tears, Marian Sanchez opened up about her mom who died right beside her, the victim of a hit and run in Kendall.

“It’s my mom who I lost, she is never going to meet my children. She's never going to be there when I need her or at my graduation," she said. "That is really hard to accept."

Sanchez’s mom Benita was killed while they were crossing a street last December. So far there are no leads on a suspect.

"So if you saw something just please call and help because that’s all we need from you," she said.

Just this past Thursday in Fort Lauderdale a cyclist was killed by the driver of a silver four-door car. The suspect took off. The cyclist, 46-year-old Charles Blackledge, died alongside Dixie Highway.

Charmain Metellus also lost her husband just more than a year ago.

“I’m watching my son growing up without his father and he’s 19 years old and it’s so hard," Metellus said.

The number of hit-and-run accidents in Florida is staggering, more than 92,000 according to the FHP.

Miami-Dade is No. 1 with the most in the state. Broward right behind at No. 2. The two counties are also way ahead in hit and runs that were fatal.

Troopers say if you’re in an accident you need to help. You might not even be in trouble but if you flee, you’re going to jail.

If you saw or were something involved in an accident, troopers also want you to please speak up.

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