Bicyclist killed in hit-and-run crash in Orange Park

Florida Highway Patrol searches for driver

ORANGE PARK, Fla. – A driver struck and killed a bicyclist, then left the scene early Tuesday morning on Wells Road, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened shortly after midnight on Wells Road near the Orange Park Mall.

The bicyclist was identified as 65-year-old Jean Lionel Siyon (pictured, below), of Orange Park.

A dark pickup truck was traveling east on Wells in the right lane and

Jean Lionel Siyon

Siyon was ahead of the vehicle, also in the right, eastbound lane, according to the FHP report. The vehicle hit Siyon and left the scene.

Siyon died at the scene.

The Florida Highway Patrol is requesting the public's help in locating a black 2003-05 Ford Edge pickup truck. The truck is a small pickup that is a factory modified Ford Ranger with an additional graphic near the rear left and right side as "EDGE," troopers said. They said it will have significant damage to the front and right area.

Anyone with any information on the vehicle or driver is asked to call FHP at 904-359-6572.

Siyon and his wife, Marie, had been married 45 years and had five children.

On Tuesday, Marie's world turned upside down with her husband's death. She doesn't speak English, so a relative translated the anguish she is now fighting through.

"She says she's going to miss everything," the translator said.

The Siyons moved to Orange Park six years ago from Haiti hoping to better their lives. Jean was on his way home from work when he was struck and killed.

Dozens of family members flooded Siyon's apartment Tuesday, devastated and trying to piece this together.

They say Siyon's children are hoping to be able to go to their dad's funeral, but they're not sure how they're going to afford to come over from Haiti.

Marie says Jean was a great husband, brother, uncle and friend, but he was best at being a dad.

"She loves him because he was a great, great, great, great father. So no one can replace him," the translator said.

Anyone who would like to help the family in affording to bring Siyon's children to the U.S. from Haiti for his funeral is asked to call family members Gary Francois at 904-485-7605 or Sony St. Vilus at 904-485-3710.