One man dead in North City hit-and-run

Historic City News reporters watch as crime scene investigators, being led by Sergeant Michael Etheridge, systematically collect and preserve the critical pieces of evidence left at the scene of a fatal hit-and-run accident that occurred in the wee hours of Saturday morning.

St. Augustine Police were called to the intersection of San Marco Avenue and North Ponce de Leon Boulevard this morning to investigate the crime that occurred at approximately 3:30 a.m.

Etheridge told Historic City News editor Michael Gold that although they are not yet aware of any eyewitnesses to this accident, police have been successful in identifying part numbers from the dozens of recognizable remnants from the driver’s vehicle.

“It appears to be a one-vehicle, one-pedestrian collision,” Etheridge said. “We have not yet notified the family, so, we will withhold the victim’s identity.”

Police did confirm that the victim was a white, man, who has been transported to the District 23 Medical Examiner’s office for an autopsy. “That is standard operating procedure in these cases,” Etheridge told Historic City News. “We should be able to confirm the exact cause of death and any contributing factors at that time.”

Pedestrians crossing four lane highways in the dark present a special hazard for nighttime drivers. Within the past 2 years, another traffic fatality, vehicle-vs-pedestrian, occurred not more than a block or two from this morning’s hit-and-run. With motorcycles on the road October 14th – October 17th for Biketoberfest and with Halloween just two weeks away, drivers are again warned to use extra caution when driving after dusk.

Etheridge told Historic City News that the investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about this hit-and-run accident is asked to contact investigators with the St. Augustine Police Department by calling the Anonymous Crime Tip line at 209-3482, or, First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS. You can remain anonymous and could receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 if your information leads to an arrest.

Photo credits: © 2010 Historic City News staff photographer