Arrest made in Clay County hit-and-run

FHP: Car that hit 18-year-old pedestrian was reported stolen in Clay County

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – An Orange Park teen is fighting for his life after investigators say he was struck by a car and left in the middle of Blanding Boulevard.

The accident happened around 8 p.m. Monday at the intersection of Blanding Boulevard and Wells Road. According to police, 37-year-old Eric Roenisch was arrested just hours after the crash for grand theft auto. He was also charged with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in serious bodily injury, police said.

The victim, 18-year-old Mathew Ryan Maloney, is in critical condition.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a green Buick was traveling northbound on Blanding Boulevard near Wells Road and hit Maloney while he was walking in the crosswalk. The driver of the Buick then fled the scene, traveling northbound.

The car was found later by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, abandoned in a local business parking lot near Blanding Boulevard and Youngerman Circle, about two blocks from the accident site.

Investigators later determined that same car was reported to the Clay County Sheriff's Office stolen a few hours before the crash.

That stolen vehicle report provided the information needed to track down Roenisch, who was arrested after a short chase and charged with grand theft auto. Deputies said Roenisch still had blood and shards of glass on his head, apparently from the impact.

It is still under investigation whether speed, alcohol, or other distractions were involved in the crash.

People crossing Blanding Boulevard said it's important to pay attention to their surroundings, both pedestrians and drivers.

"Have you seen the way people on Blanding drive? I'm learning how to drive and this is the scariest road to drive on. I'm deathly afraid of it," resident Courtney Neveau said. "Try not to J-walk. Make sure that thing says you can walk, because they're not going to pay attention, especially if it's busy."

"People don't pay attention to us bikers when we have the right to cross. People just don't pay attention or people just being on their cellphones," resident Daniel McCormick said. "Stay off your cellphones and pay attention to people on bikes and motorcycles."

Roenisch has a long list of arrests and traffic citations in Clay County. He's been arrested for purse-snatching and twice for forgery. He's had four traffic citations for failure to obey traffic sign, three charges of driving with a suspended license, three charges of driving with expired registration and one speeding citation. 


About the Authors:

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