1 dead, 1 critical in Westside hit-and-run

Man, woman struck by vehicle while walking along Old Middleburg Road

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A man is dead and a woman is fighting for her life after they were hit by a vehicle on the Westside early Tuesday morning, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

Around 3:05 a.m., police responded to Old Middleburg and Hipps roads in reference to a pedestrian struck by a vehicle.

Officers arrived on scene and found 35-year-old Robert Christmas dead and the woman, whose identity was not released, critically injured and lying adjacent to the roadway. The woman was taken to UF Health Jacksonville.

Police are trying to find the driver responsible for hitting the two pedestrians.

At this time, police do not have any witnesses and are seeking the public's assistance to try to identify the vehicle or the driver.

Christmas' mother, Stephanie Moreno, contacted News4Jax on Tuesday, saying she hoped speaking publicly about how much she's hurting will help bring justice for her son.

"I just wanted to say that if you're out there listening to me, the person that took my son from me, I just want closure, please turn yourself in," Moreno said. "I'm his mother, and you did take something from me very precious. Please have a little bit of remorse and please turn yourself in."

Moreno said the woman who was with Christmas was friends with her son, who she says will be missed by a lot of people.

"He was a good person, very handsome. He was my first son. I loved him to death. Everybody that knew him loved him, too," Moreno said. "Just how kind he was and what a beautiful spirit he was. He's going to be missed a lot."

Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office at 904-630-0500 or Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS (8477).

A portion of Old Middleburg Road at Hipps Road was closed for hours while investigators processed the scene.


About the Authors:

Scott is a multi-Emmy Award Winning Anchor and Reporter, who also hosts the “Going Ringside With The Local Station” Podcast. Scott has been a journalist for 25 years, covering stories including six presidential elections, multiple space shuttle launches and dozens of high-profile murder trials.