Family of victim wants change after fatal hit-and-run

Benjamin Kausch, 45, killed January 16

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – The family of a man killed in a hit-and-run crash in January in St. Augustine spoke out about the area where their loved one was left for dead.

Benjamin Kausch, 45, was riding his bike along U.S. 1 when he was struck by a car just south of Stokes Landing Road. The driver has not yet been arrested.

The family of Kausch will celebrate his life on Wednesday by holding a roadside memorial. They said they believe if the area had more lights, the driver may have seen Kausch.

Faye Kausch has been hoping that someone has heard something about the driver that struck her little brother.

"They just left him there. They didn't stop to see if he was OK. They just hit him and kept going. That's the hardest part for our family. Why not stop? why not turn yourself in?" said Faye Kausch.

It is a question that has been haunting her family since the loss of their loved one.

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"I don't know what else to do other than hope whoever did this to him will come forward and say, 'I made a mistake and I'm sorry.' But until that happens, we'll never know," said Faye Kausch.

Benjamin Kausch was the third fatal hit-and-run victim in St. Johns County since November. The Kausch family will place a ghost bike at the scene in his honor.

"It will let people know that they need to be more aware of people on bicycles," Faye Kausch said. "My brother has always been a bicycle rider. He knew to have the reflectors on, the right clothes and for people to not watch for them, a bicyclist, a scooter or motorcycle. That's not right because everyone has their own choice of what they want to drive or ride. And to just act like they don't exist is very wrong."

Although the tragic situation can never be made right, the family made recommendations to the county that they hope are taken into consideration.

"To see more lights would be awesome, you know? Who knows what people will do, or what the county will do?" Faye Kausch said. ?


About the Authors:

Emmy-nominated journalist Kristin Cason joined the News 6 team in June 2016.