JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A 27-year-old bicyclist, who was killed in a hit-and-run crash Tuesday evening on the city's Northside, was a lifelong Florida Gators and NASCAR fan, his mother and sister told News4Jax.
The crash was reported about 10:30 p.m. at Cole and Spaulding roads, an intersection in a residential area just south of the River City Marketplace.
Shannon Johnson said her son, Shane Reed, died just feet from where he lived.
“He did not deserve to be just left laying in the road like that,” she said.
Police said the driver left the scene before first responders arrived.
Now Reed's mother, who hasn't put down her son's favorite Gators beanie since she learned of the crash, said she wants the driver who hit him to come forward.
“The guilt is going to eat you up, so just do what's right,” Shannon Johnson said.
Reed's sister, Ashley Johnson, said her brother was beloved by many and will be missed.
“He was always so good to us. It's so terrible that this happened,” she said. “He was a great person, and he was known by a lot of people. He was friendly. He loved everyone, and everyone loved him. I don't understand why this even happened.”
The Johnsons said the support of other family members is helping them get through the tragedy. They said they will need that support even more as time passes.
Family told News4Jax that the funeral for Reed will be held on Sunday at 3 p.m. at Cedar Bay Funeral Home on New Berlin Road. His mother asked that in lieu of flowers, people donate money to the funeral home to help with expenses.
After the funeral, the family will hold a candlight vigil at the crash scene.
News4Jax found two homes near the intersection that have surveillance cameras pointed directly at the crash location. Reed's family members said they hope the cameras caught the crash and that the driver is found soon.