JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – One year after a man was killed by a hit and run driver, his family is still hopeful there could be a break in the case.
Rafhel Mahese, 37, was traveling to Jacksonville from his home in South Florida on Interstate 95 north when his
car broke down near the State Road 207 exit in St. Johns County. Troopers said someone hit him, but kept going. Mahese died at the scene.
Mahese' children spent Sunday at his grave site, the one place his sister said they should never have to go to see their father.
"They know what happened, but you know, they don't really grasp what this all means," said Natasha Persaud, Mahese's sister. "He's not here and they knew someone took him away."
That someone has never been found. Authorities have very little to go on. They said they believe Mahese was hit by either a white semi-truck or motor home.
"What happened? Let us know that. You took someone's life, and it was an accident. You were sorry. This person meant so much that you took away. You took away someone," Persaud said.
In the last year, Mahese' children have grown and memories have been made. His sister remembers him as not just a devoted husband, father and friend, but also a helper.
"He never cared for himself. He was always lending a helping hand to someone else," Persaud said.
She said her wish now is that someone will step up and help her family get the answers they need. Anyone who knows anything that can help solve this case is asked to call the Florida Highway Patrol at (850) 482-9510.