Family, Friends Want Driver In Deadly Hit & Run To Go To Police
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBSMiami) — Family and friends of a Taravella High student who died in a hit and run accident early Sunday morning in Fort Lauderdale are outraged that the driver responsible has not come forward.
Justin Flowers, 15, was crossing Broward Boulevard at 27th Avenue just after 1 a.m. when he was struck by what police described as an older model, dark-colored Jeep Cherokee possibly with tinted windows and a luggage rack.
The Jeep was traveling west in the left lane of West Broward Boulevard, when Flowers was crossing the street. As Flowers walked through the center westbound lane, the driver of the Jeep inexplicably changed lanes and struck him.
His fellow students were stunned by the news when they returned to class on Monday.
"Who ever did that needs to pay. He never did anything to hurt anybody. He would just stick with his friends, stick to himself and that's just about it," said Flowers' friend Jonathan Brimlow.
"It's bad," said Taravella High student Kean Cardola. "The world is getting dangerous."
Cardola said some students chose to wear blue because it was Flowers' favorite color. Cardola said Flowers and he went to the same gym.
"I think it's messed up and my prayers go out to his family," said student Jaide Humes.
Que Morales-Shakoor said he couldn't believe the driver didn't stop and left Flowers in the street to die.
"That's rude, that's disrespectful, it's disheartening that that would happen. You know by now that stuff should be done with, it should be over. It's sad," said Que Morales-Shakoor.
"I think it's a load of bull crap really. He gets run over and the guy just leaves him there," said an outraged Reyes Rafael who knew Flowers. "When I saw it on the news I hoped that it was wrong because, damn, I talked to the guy a few times and I was in his class. He was a good guy, funny."
Sunday night family members and friends gathered at the intersection where he died to hold a candle-light vigil in his memory.
"He was smart. He was funny, always trying to make people laugh," recalled Justin's sister Tatyana Flowers, 19.
"He loved basketball, he obeyed his mom, followed Christ. He's involved in a lot of church activities," added Flowers' cousin Jermaine Jones.
Police say the Jeep involved in the accident may be visible damage to the right front, side and/or windshield area.Ft. They're urging anyone with information on the driver of the Jeep to come forward.
"It's extremely alarming to know that this individual is okay with resting at night knowing they struck and killed someone," said Ft. Lauderdale police spokeswoman Det. Deanna Greenlaw.
"I just want to say if you've seen anything that happened to my little brother, please just come forward. If it was your little brother, you would want someone to come forward," said Flowers through tears. "I just want whoever who hurt my little brother to be behind bars or whatever consequences and punishment come their way come their way because this is not justice this isn't right."
Anyone with information is asked to call Traffic Homicide Investigator Cheri Creque at (954) 828-5825 or email.
