West Palm Beach’s Southend is reeling after a 28-year-old man was killed early Monday in a hit-and-run while riding an electric scooter home from work. The driver took off instead of stopping, and now detectives are asking anyone who might have seen something, or caught it on camera, to speak up. The loss has rattled a tight circle of coworkers and downtown regulars who say one of their own was taken far too soon.
Police and local outlets identified the victim as 28-year-old Connor Blais, a staffer at O’Shea’s Irish Pub, who was found in the roadway in the 4900 block of South Olive Avenue at about 1:50 a.m. An electric scooter was discovered nearby, and officers say the striking driver fled without offering help. In the days since, family and friends have filled social media with tributes and renewed calls for information, according to WPBF.
Neighbors Urged To Check Their Cameras
The West Palm Beach Police Department is pressing residents along South Olive Avenue, particularly between Russlyn Drive and Pilgrim Road, to review any doorbell or security footage from around 1:50 a.m. Investigators believe the vehicle involved likely has visible damage to the front end or passenger side. Anyone with video or tips is asked to contact Detective Hatfield at 561-822-1784 and reference case number 20260009954, according to WPTV.
Friends And Coworkers Demand Answers
Blais’s coworkers describe him as easygoing and universally liked, calling him “a great guy, always smiling and personable.” Regulars at O’Shea’s say they are devastated that someone could hit him and keep going, calling the crash “heartbreaking and disgusting” once they learned the driver never stopped. Those close to Blais say they have traveled to be together and support one another while detectives chase down leads, as reported by WPBF.
What Detectives Are Zeroing In On
Investigators believe the impact would have left obvious damage on the vehicle and are paying close attention to cars with front-end or passenger-side damage. Police have not yet released a description of the driver or the make of the vehicle, and officers continue to canvas the Southend neighborhood in search of witnesses. The department says the case remains an active investigation and is urging anyone with potentially relevant footage to come forward, per WPTV.
Anyone with information, dashcam video, or doorbell footage is asked to call Detective Hatfield at 561-822-1784 and reference case number 20260009954. Family, friends, and coworkers say they are not letting up and will keep pushing for leads until there are answers in Blais’s death.
