NEW SMYRNA BEACH, Fla. — Family members said a New Smyrna Beach man accused of hitting and killing a couple with a vehicle knew the victims, and they said the woman who was killed was pregnant.
Brian Kennedy, 37, of Edgewater, faces felony charges of leaving the scene of an accident involving death in New Smyrna Beach Tuesday night.
Kennedy is accused of hitting Savannah Jo Dejarnette, 26, and her boyfriend, Zachary Tyler Kahle, 24, with a vehicle on State Road 44.
If convicted, Kennedy could be sentenced up to 30 years in prison.
Both were pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The pair was seen walking along the roadway just after 10 p.m Wednesday. Police believe the two were hit and killed sometime between 10 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
According to police, two people riding by on a motor scooter saw Kahle's body on the side of SR-44 at La Boca Drive about 11:15 p.m.
"I've never seen anything like it, and I don't know what to think. I saw a dead body and it just freaked me out a little bit," said Jason Bowen, who called authorities.
When police arrived, they found the bodies.
Police said they found Dejarnette's vehicle near Interstate 95 and believe the two victims were walking to get help after the vehicle broke down.
SR-44 was closed overnight while police investigated the incident.
A van with significant damage that investigators said was owned by Kennedy was being examined Wednesday night.
"Twenty-four-year-old kids aren't supposed to die and especially be murdered on the side of the road," said Kahle's father, Steve Kahle.
Kahle's family said it believes Kennedy turned himself in after seeing the news and realizing who the victims were, but police have not confirmed that.
"If anybody knows anything, if anybody saw anything, please, please call, because we can't let people get away with this kind of stuff," said Steve Kahle.
Kennedy's father said he feels horrible for the couple and their family and only found out about the hit-and-run on the news.
The two victims each had children of their own and may have been expecting their first together.
"His girlfriend from what I understand was carrying another grandchild of mine, now that's three murders," said Steve Kahle.