Woman, 26, killed walking down road

Driver didn't see woman walking; pedestrian died at scene

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 26-year-old woman was hit and killed while walking down Shindler Drive early Thursday morning, according to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

JSO's traffic homicide unit responded to Shindler Drive at Bellrose Avenue about 2 a.m. learned a car driven by a 28-year-old man was going northbound on Shindler Drive struck Tabitha Boykin as she was walking in a dark stretch of the road.

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Tabitha Boykin

The driver, who police have not named, told officers did not see her.

Police said Boykin was walking in the street between two street lights and wearing dark clothing. The car hit Boykin, who died at the scene.

Police said the driver stopped, got out of the car and began CPR while waiting for rescuers.

No charges are pending at this time, police said. They said there is also no indication of speeding or alcohol, but it's still an open investigation.

Due to the investigation, Shindler Drive at Bellrose Avenue was blocked overnight.

Boykin's family said she was just blocks away from her mother's home when she was hit. They said she was on her way to visit a friend.

Boykin leaves behind two young children.

"She loved her kids to death," Boykin's step-mother, Sandy Mann, said. "She loved them with all her heart. She did."

"It was heart wrenching," Boykin's aunt, Armendia Turner, said. "I could not believe. I knew Tabitha would get out and walk and she'd go places. Anytime she got ready she'd go. It didn't matter if it were day or night, she was going to go."

Boykin grew up in Jacksonville but was originally from North Carolina. Her family is trying to raise the money to bury her there.

Friends at Greybeards Tavern on Commonwealth Avenue are taking donations to help make that happen.