Authorities seek public's help in identifying hit-and-run drivers

ORLANDO, Fla. — State troopers are asking the public for help in unsolved hit-and-run crashes in central Florida.

On Monday, there were several emotional pleas from the families of several victims.

Three months ago, Aaron Jones was struck and killed along Goldenrod Road near Valencia College Lane.

Channel 9’s Racquel Asa found surveillance video from a nearby business and turned it over to authorities.  Even with the video, which shows Jones being struck, no arrests have been made.

“It seems like such a long time ago, but it's not, otherwise, I wouldn't still be crying every time I think about it,” said Jones’ aunt, Jackie Jones.

Last year, the Florida Highway Patrol investigated 5,400 hit-and-run incidents in central Florida.

Two dozen of those were fatal.

“It is just as much a crime as you heard everyone talk about, and we will take anonymous tips about that and get them sent off,” said Barb Bergin of CrimeLine.

If a driver is charged in any of the unsolved accidents, the charges are stiff.

“If there's serious bodily injury or even death, you could spend up to 30 years in prison,” said Capt. Robert Duncan of the FHP.

In cases where a person is seriously hurt and the driver takes off, charges are just as steep as if someone was driving under the influence and stayed  on scene.

Statewide, 70,000 hit-and-run crashes were investigated. About 168 of those were fatal.

WFTV