COLUMBIA COUNTY, Fla. – A troubling pattern has developed in Columbia County over the past three days. Each day saw a hit-and-run crash, and two of those were fatal.
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One of the victims was an 8-year-old girl from Lake City who was struck in Columbia County while riding her bike. According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver was traveling east on US 90 when the girl was hit and killed.
FHP later took Julio Cesar Marquez into custody. He was booked into the Columbia County Jail and is now facing a felony hit-and-run charge in this case.
News4JAX Crime and Safety Analyst Tom Hackney said that all these incidents across our area provide an opportunity to remind the community how much of a difference stopping to help can make.
“Even if that’s the circumstance, somebody’s life can depend on it,” Hackney said. “Let law enforcement know what happened and just hope for the best of the outcome. Somebody’s life depends on it, and sometimes it’s time to face music. That’s the time to do it.”
On Saturday night, a person on an electric bike was driving along Scrubtown Road as a Mini Cooper was traveling in the opposite direction. The cyclist was hit by the car and later died at the hospital.
Earlier in the week, an 11-year-old girl was waiting for her school bus on Thursday when a white Toyota pickup truck backed into her and took off. FHP is still searching for the pickup truck’s driver.
Hackney said drivers and walkers should be mindful of their surroundings and avoid distractions when they’re on the road. For walkers, wearing bright colors could prove useful, he adds.
“I’m not expecting people to go out and wear a bright flashing vest when you’re loading on and off the bus, but be aware of your surroundings,” he said. “That goes for preteens, teens, and little ones. None of them are immune from this kind of thing happening.”
