Jacksonville father killed in hit and run, family pleads for answers

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a Subaru sedan after a cyclist was hit and later killed on Zoo Parkway in North Jacksonville.

The hit-and-run accident happened Saturday night around 10 p.m. just before the intersection of Eastport Road. FHP said a car came up from behind, veered into the bike and then took off.

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The victim, John Kendrick Jr., later died at the hospital. He leaves behind his wife and two-year-old daughter.

His father, John Kendrick Sr., tells Action News Jax’s Robert Grant that his son was riding his bike home from his first day at work at Amazon.

“It’s a very long way,” he said. “And he got up early. And he showed up on time and he was just on his way home to his wife.”

He said Kendrick Jr. had a drive to work and always provided for his family.

“Go to work all the time, all the time, all the time because you have to provide. I guess that’s what he learned from me. Because he was coming home from work,” Kendrick Sr. said, referring to Saturday night.

Action News Jax dug through records from Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. In 2018, there were 11 deadly hit and runs. So far this year, there’s been 14.

Kendrick Sr., just wants closure.

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“I want to look myself. I want to investigate. Someone knows something,” he said. “Turn yourself in. Give me some type of closure.”

The family is offering a $2,000 reward for anyone with information. Amazon is offering another $1,000.

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