FHP hopes video from Blanding hit-and-run will lead to arrest in man’s death

‘Just give us closure,’ says sister of Timothy Knowles, man who was killed

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Highway Patrol on Friday released video from the scene of a deadly hit-and-run collision involving a pedestrian on Blanding Boulevard.

It happened on June 5 at 4:16 a.m. Troopers said the suspect’s vehicle is a dark colored SUV, possibly a Ford Expedition. It may have damage to the left front and side.

Cariann Melvin said it was her brother who died. She identified him as Timothy Knowles, 45.

Melvin said she was at home when three FHP troopers came to her home looking for her mother.

“I said ‘I was her power of attorney, how can I help you?’ And I looked down and thought for a second and I said, ‘It’s my brother, isn’t it? Timothy?’ And they said, ‘Yes ma’am. Unfortunately, it is.’”

Melvin cannot believe that the driver did not stop to try to help her brother.

“He was left like an animal on the side of the road, and I don’t think that’s right,” she said.

Melvin said Knowles never met a stranger, was passionate about music and loved his family — especially being an uncle.

She’s pleading for answers.

“I know somewhere out there somebody knows something. There’s gonna be damage to that vehicle,” Melvin said. “A friend or family, somebody’s got to know something. Just give us closure.”

Anyone with information about the SUV in the video above is urged to contact FHP or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.


About the Author

Renee Beninate is a Florida native and award-winning reporter who joined the News4Jax team in June 2021.

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