Nearly five months after 39-year-old Daniel Avena was struck and killed along Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, his family is still chasing answers and scraping together money to keep the case from going cold. Loved ones say Avena, known around town as "Bernie Mac," was walking home along the busy corridor when an SUV hit him and left him by the roadside. In the months since, relatives have built roadside memorials and are pulling together a fundraiser to pay for a private investigator.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators say Avena was hit on Nov. 16 after leaving a nearby RaceTrac, and that his body was not found until the following morning. Troopers say no one has been arrested. As reported by FOX 13, family members and neighbors note that the stretch of Boyette Road has limited lighting and no sidewalks, and they are still wrestling with how he could have remained undiscovered for hours.
Family Hires Private Investigator, Plans Fundraiser
The family says they are putting together a fundraiser to hire a private investigator who can help track down the vehicle and push the investigation forward. "Having a suspect in the case would help us bring closure to his death," Cindy Hube told Tampa Bay 28.
Surveillance Images and a $5,000 Reward
Troopers have released surveillance images from a RaceTrac camera that show a dark-colored SUV, possibly a Toyota 4Runner with fog lights and a front grille guard, according to investigators. Crime Stoppers of Tampa Bay is offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to an arrest, and neighbors have covered Boyette Road with flyers as investigators continue searching for the vehicle, as reported by Bay News 9.
What the Law Says
Under Florida law, leaving the scene of a crash that results in death is a felony. The Aaron Cohen Life Protection Act increased penalties in hit-and-run cases and can require mandatory prison time when someone is killed, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles and state statutes. See FLHSMV and Chapter 316 of the Florida statutes for more information.
Anyone who recognizes the SUV or has information about the crash is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol or Crime Stoppers. The family says even a small tip could move them closer to the truth. For previous coverage of the case, see FOX 13.
