ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – A St. Augustine woman is remembering a man killed by a hit-and-run driver Sunday morning while riding his bicycle.
Koriynne Moneta said 26-year-old Madison Meyer started working at their restaurant about two months ago. In that time, he became more than an employee, he was like a son to them.
They said they're devastated by what happened and they won't rest until they know who's responsible.
"He came in, he was on the bicycle," said Koriynne Moneta, the restaurant's owner. "He said, 'I need coffee. Do you guys have coffee?'"
Moneta spoke about the day she met Meyer. He sat down at one of the tables at her restaurant, Cafe Solo, last September. She said they immediately bonded.
"Somehow, this boy has got such beautiful energy," said Moneta. "I started talking to him, and I asked him, 'Do you want a job?' And he said, 'Oh yes, I've got big bills to pay.' And I tell you, every day he was always the first sitting right there waiting for us."
In the short time that he worked at the restaurant, Meyer became part of the family and was adored by everyone who worked and ate at the restaurant. Moneta said she and her husband helped take care of him, and in many ways, she grew to love him as one of her own.
"He always thanked me for teaching him, for helping him," said Morieta.
More than anything, Moneta said Meyer's heart was pure. Even though she misses him dearly, her focus is now honoring his memory.
"For me, I am selfish. I care about Madison. I want him to rest in peace. We will always light a candle for him. I hope justice will find its way," said Moneta.
"I am very sure that Madison is looking after us. It used to be that we were looking out for him," Morieta said.
The driver who struck Madison is still at large. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to call the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office at 904-209-1498 or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS.