Lilly will go to prison for committing hit-and-run

Assistant State Attorney Josh Alexander told Historic City News reporters in St Augustine that 30 year-old Nathaniel Callahan, the man who was struck by a hit-and-run driver on Moultrie Road January 6, left clinging to life and in a coma for a short period, told Judge Berger that he was upset because his assailant has never apologized for his actions.

In front of the court was 43 year-old Marc Edward Lilly; the man who struck Callahan with his Ford Windstar minivan while Callahan was riding his scooter.

Lilly pled no contest and Judge Berger adjudicated him guilty. Berger sentenced Lilly to 3 years in prison followed by 2 years of probation.

Historic City News published the story to the Internet and Google News service as it was happening, Jacksonville television stations and radio stations were willing to break in with details as they became available. By noon, a grainy, but usable, surveillance video clip was made available. Combined with evidence collected at the scene, investigators announced a description of the crash vehicle.

Sheriff David B Shoar credited the immediate media response on the morning of the crash for prompting a good citizen to make an anonymous tip that led to identification of Lilly as the driver of the hit-and-run minivan.

The victim, who said he had God in his life and will be okay, told Alexander that he felt the sentence handed down against his assailant was “just” given the defendants actions.

The state requested restitution for the victim and a restitution hearing will be held later.