FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) – Police are searching for a pickup truck driver who, they said, struck and killed an elderly man on a busy Fort Lauderdale road and fled the scene, leaving his loved ones devastated and looking for answers.<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale Police units responded to reports of a hit-and-run near the 400 block of West Sunrise Boulevard, at around 8 p.m. on Monday.<\/p>\n
First responders pronounced the pedestrian who was struck dead at the scene. He was later identified as 70-year-old Johnnie Lee Davis of Fort Lauderdale.<\/p>\n
Now his grieving family, not only the police, are searching for answers.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe was a loving, caring guy. Everyone loved him. He was full of life. He loved to dance. He loved to play cards,\u201d Davis\u2019s daughter, Jazzlynn Simmons, said.<\/p>\n
Davis lost his life on the street he crossed countless times to visit friends and stop by the store at Sunrise and Northwest Fifth Avenue.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery night. He\u2019s a regular customer,\u201d the store\u2019s owner, Mustofa Khan, said.<\/p>\n
Investigators said the suspected motorist took off without stopping to help the victim.<\/p>\n
7News cameras captured officers as they searched for clues along the westbound lanes of the roadway.<\/p>\n
Westbound traffic along West Sunrise Boulevard was diverted northbound onto North Andrews Avenue while police investigated.<\/p>\n
Tuesday morning, Simmons went to the store her father frequented, looking for information as to who would leave him to die in the street.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the awful thing. It\u2019s a hard pill to swallow, and like I said earlier, I just want, you know, justice for my father,\u201d Simmons said.<\/p>\n
The photo 7News obtained of Davis shows him wearing a shirt with a photograph of Simmons\u2019 mother, who passed away about a month ago. <\/p>\n
Detectives said they are looking for a white pickup truck of unknown make and model.<\/p>\n
If you have any information on this hit-and-run or the driver\u2019s whereabouts, call FLPD Traffic Homicide Investigator Manny Garcia at 954 828-5726 or Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.<\/p>\n
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