It has been six months since a local good Samaritan was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the west side. The family held a candlelight vigil tonight in Gavin Carter’s honor at Jessie Ball DuPont Park.
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Florida Highway Patrol said the 23-year-old stopped to help the driver of an overturned car on I-10. That is when troopers said a passing car hit him and the driver took off.
“He was always doing the right thing and always looking out for the next person. In the end, he was looking out for the next person, and he died the way he lived,” said Dawn Carter, Gavin’s mother.
Family members are still waiting for an arrest in the case.
They said they are working tirelessly with FHP to find the driver responsible. Tonight’s vigil had a clear message to the suspect, “Turn yourself in.”
“Our son is missed, and he was loved. We need you to take accountability so we can take the next step. We need you to own what you did,” said Dawn Carter.
Action News Jax told you Gavin was killed in a hit-and-run in the early morning hours back in May. Troopers said Gavin saw a driver hit a guardrail on I-10 at McDuff Avenue, which caused his car to overturn. As Carter went to help the man, he was hit by a passing car.
FHP said the driver then ran off on foot.
“I don’t want Gavin forgotten. I’m sad the person that did this and left Gavin on the road like trash can’t come forward and stand for what’s right,” said Cynthia Carter-Ross, Gavin’s Grandmother.
Gavin’s grandmother wants to remind everyone that Gavin’s death happened on Memorial Day weekend. She has an important message with the holidays approaching.
“Gavin was killed during a holiday weekend and alcohol was involved for the first accident victim. I would like everyone to not drink and drive during the holidays. You can cause this grief to someone else’s family, and I wouldn’t want that for anyone.”
This investigation is ongoing. Anybody with information is asked to call Florida Highway Patrol.
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