JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 41-year-old man who police say has never held a Florida driver's license and likely had been drinking struck, and killed a pedestrian on Phillips Highway early Sunday morning and kept driving.
The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office said another driver called 911 about 3:45 a.m. to report a body along Phillips near the intersection with Emerson Street. Traffic homicide detectives said the victim, later identified as 45-year-old Scott Ewing, rolled about 150 feet after he was struck.
Ewing's girlfriend of more than 20 years said she has been in a state of shock since being told he was killed.
Cheryl Muzzarell said she and Ewing got into an argument late Saturday night and he stepped out to get some air and never returned. She had a feeling something bad happened.
"When you know somebody for that long, it's like you've got a connection with them -- a spiritual connection," said Cheryl Muzzarelli. "I just felt very strongly that it was him."
Police said Jose Morales, a Mexican national, left the scene without stopping to check on the victim or notify police, then left the Chevrolet Tahoe he was driving in the parking lot of a Family Dollar store a few blocks away.
According to the police report, Morales called the SUV's owner to let him know where the vehicle was. The owner called police, who arrested Morales who was waiting there thinking he was meeting the owner of the Tahoe.
The arresting officer said Morales had bloodshot and watery eyes and smelled of alcohol. The report says Morales agreed to supply a blood sample.
Morales was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving a death and driving without a license. Jail records also show a immigration hold on Morales.
Cooper said she can't believe anyone could leave another human being dying on the side of the road.
"He really cared about people," Cooper said of Ewing. "He tried to help me any time he could. He was a cool guy."
Ewing's family has set up a GoFundMe.com account to help with funeral expenses.