Jacksonville family searches for answers in mother's death

Paula Abdullah hit, killed in May

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Jacksonville family is searching for answers months after their mother was killed by a hit-and-run driver.

"All I have to say is that I love my mom so much and I wish she was here," said Sharifah Abdullah.

Police said Paula Abdullah, 55, was walking home from work in May, heading down New Berlin Road, when a truck hit her and kept driving.

Police in Jacksonville announced they were looking for a black Toyota Tacoma, possibly an SR5 model with heavy front-end damage to the headlight area.

Friday night, Abdullah's family told News4Jax the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office told them they have a person of interest in their mother's case.

Sharifah Abdullah said waiting for the Sheriff's Office to make an arrest in her mom's case has been grueling.

"Aug. 6, it makes three months. We aren't getting the answers we need. Since her death, there's been four or five hit-and-runs in Jacksonville and they got them, so what's taking my mom so long?" said Sharifah Abdullah.

Sharifah Abdullah said her family has been very patient with the investigation, but also admits that she is eager for justice. Abdullah said she's encouraged that police may have their sights set on the person responsible for killing her mom.

"The person who did this, I have no remorse for you. You should be locked up and put away," said Abdullah. "All these hit-and-runs since her death, it's ridiculous. People are driving careless, not turning themselves in, and it's not funny because you are hurting so many people. Me and my sisters are hurting, our entire family is hurting."


About the Author:

Kent Justice co-anchors News4Jax's 5 p.m., 10 and 11 p.m. newscasts weeknights and reports on government and politics. He also hosts "This Week in Jacksonville," Channel 4's hot topics and politics public affairs show each Sunday morning at 9 a.m.