Drunken man arrested after pedestrian killed in hit-and-run, Cocoa police say

COCOA, Fla. — There are new details emerging on the suspect in a fatal hit-and-run crash in Cocoa.

The suspect hasn't been charged in that case yet, but he is in custody on a separate DUI charge, according to police.

The crash happened on State Road 520 near Varr Avenue early Wednesday morning.

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The victim, Bruce Calkins, 56, was also known as "Cobra" to many of his friends. He was also a veteran known for his acts of kindness.

Officers said he was on his way home when he was struck in the roadway and died.

Friends describe Calkins as the type of guy who would help anyone.

But, Cocoa police said the driver who hit Calkins as he walked alongside Eastbound State Road 520 took off.

Calkins was discovered near the median by eyewitness Thomas Studstill and another passerby.

“It's always difficult to know that someone has blatant disregard for human life,” Studstill said.

As it turned out, Studstill knew the man he stopped to help from around the neighborhood.

Within a half hour of finding Calkins, the Brevard County Sheriff's Office pulled over a suspect vehicle in the area of  US-1 and State Road 405 during a traffic stop.

Jacqueice Witcher, 33, was arrested by deputies on a DUI charge and Cocoa Police were notified, deputies said.

Officers said they were able to match a VIN number on a bumper found near the hit-and-run crash scene to the black Honda Accord Witcher was driving with a missing bumper.

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“The question becomes putting him behind the wheel,” said Yvonne Martinez with the Cocoa Police Department. “We have some physical evidence that put him behind the wheel. We're still working that aspect of the crash, but the pieces came together quickly.”

Officers said additional charges are pending.

Calkins' girlfriend was here at the scene Wednesday. She said he was originally from New York and was well-known in this area.

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