JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 14-year-old boy riding a bicycle in Northwest Jacksonville just before 1 a.m. Saturday morning died after he was hit by a car that kept driving.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Dquan Armstrong (pictured, below) was riding a bike on Sibbald Road alongside two pedestrians when he was hit by a car. Armstrong was thrown into a ditch. Jacksonville Fire-Rescue pronounced the boy dead at the scene.
The two pedestrians were not injured.
Police said the vehicle continued north on Sibbald Road. It was located at a nearby home, and the driver was identified and interviewed, but was not charged as of Monday morning.
"It's sad to think that a human being would even do that to another human being," said Douglas Dixon, Armstrong's great uncle. "You never think that it's going to be one of your family members, so it's a shock to me and my -- all of my family."
Channel 4 crime and safety analyst Ken Jefferson said in a case like this, it's not uncommon for charges to come a little later. He said there could be more to the story.
"A car being driven doesn't necessarily mean it's being driven by the owner, unless the person actually sees who's driving that car and can positively identify that person," Jefferson said. "So you have to give investigators sometimes a little more time before we actually rush to judgment."
Armstrong's family said people drive way too fast along Sibbald Road, though the speed limit is 35 mph.
Armstrong's great uncle describes him as a young man who was full of life. He loved spending time with friends and had just started ninth grade at Wolfson High School. He was excited to play in his first junior varsity football game.
"His grandparents just went and got his cleats, they were going to get his cleats Saturday for him to be able to start," Dixon said.
He said the family prays they will soon have the answers they need. They said they owe it to Armstrong.
"If it was a crime committed -- and we believe it was -- we want this person brought to justice," Dixon said.
JSO traffic homicide investigators are looking for additional witnesses to this crash. Anyone who has any information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or email JSOCrimeTips@jaxsheriff.org. To remain anonymous and receive a possible reward up to $3,000, contact Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.