WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. — A family in Wesley Chapel is pleading for answers in a deadly hit and run that took the life of their loved one.
Daniel Avena was hit while walking on Boyette Road in Pasco County on Nov. 16.
Daniel Avena was hit while walking on Boyette Road in Pasco County on Nov. 16.
Florida Highway Patrol is investigating after they say the driver who hit him took off, leaving Avena to be found by someone driving by the next morning.
Avena’s family is devastated, but they say the way the community has rallied around them is comforting. They’ve posted signs all over the area, warning everyone to be on the lookout for the dark-colored Toyota Forerunner that’s believed to have hit Avena.
“He was the most amazing person. Anybody who knew him knew he was so infectious. He had the best laugh, the best smile, the best sense of humor,” said Erin Day.
Day is the mother of two of Avena’s children. She says Avena was better known as Bernie Mac, though, because of his funny, outgoing personality. Day says that on Nov. 16, all of their lives changed.
“Around 6 o’clock he was hit by what they assume is a Toyota Forerunner, dark color, they hit him and then proceeded to stop right here and check their vehicle, and not call 911 and not go to make sure it wasn’t an animal or a human being at first, you know, they just left him there,” she said.
Florida Highway Patrol recently released pictures from a surveillance camera at a RaceTrack gas station less than a quarter mile from where Daniel’s body was found. Troopers are looking for the driver of the Toyota Forerunner in these photos.
“We have to get the word out so everybody can see this car, we have to find these people,” said Day. “My kids, that’s the only Christmas present they need is to find the person that did this.”
Avena’s kids, Daniel and Lyric, say their dad deserves justice, and they deserve peace to grieve, because now all they have are memories.
“One thing I’m really grateful for is he gave us the same smile, that gummy smile he had, just that fills a room, fills the world honestly, that’s something I won’t ever forget and when I wake up and look in the mirror, that’s what I still see and I’m so grateful for that,” said Avena’s son Daniel.
“I know him, he wouldn’t want us to stay sad all the time, he’d want us to laugh and he’s probably sitting up there laughing about how much attention he’s getting,” said Lyric.
Erin says she’ll keep fighting for Bernie, and as for whoever is responsible for his death, “I know they’re watching. I know they see these posters. I know they know what they did now, turn yourself in, give us some peace please.”
If you have any information about this investigation, you can call *FHP or Crime Stoppers.
Fallon Silcox
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