Sheriff seeks help identifying witnesses

Detectives with the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office reported to Historic City News that they are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding injuries found on a 41-year old man last week at a Ponte Vedra Beach parking lot.

The victim, 41-year-old Scott Wilson, died from those injuries on Saturday at a Jacksonville hospital.

Detectives are seeking assistance in identifying a potential witness who was seen providing a ride for the victim from a Jacksonville Beach bar (Ginger’s Bar, 3rd St.) early last Thursday morning. The victim was seen getting into a gray or silver Nissan Xterra or similar type vehicle as a passenger at about 1:00 a.m. that morning. The driver of that vehicle has been described to detectives as a white male with short light brown or blond hair, between 5’8”-5’11” tall, 175-200 pounds.

Deputy Robert Dean was on routine patrol last Thursday morning at 3:15 a.m. when he pulled into the parking lot at Mickler’s Beach, 1100 block of Ponte Vedra Blvd.

He observed a man lying face down with no other people or vehicles in the area. The subject was unresponsive but was breathing and County Rescue Personnel responded. The subject was transported to Beaches Baptist Hospital and was then taken by air ambulance to Shands/Jacksonville for further treatment for severe trauma to the back of the head.

The victim had recently moved in with his parents in Ponte Vedra Beach who told deputies that that he had left the Crosstide Cr. residence on foot at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon.

It is unknown what caused the victim’s condition or how he came to be laying in the parking lot.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective James Jackson at 810-3668. You can also remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling in information to CrimeStoppers at 1-(888) 227-8477.