MOUNT DORA, Fla. — The Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a pickup truck behind fatal hit-and-run near Mount Dora.
- Fatal hit-and-run on Old Highway 441
- Victim ID'd at Demossi Jarrod Weaver, 21
- Loved ones held a vigil for Weaver Friday evening
- Crash under investigation
A passerby spotted a body on the side of Old Highway 441 near Harris Road just after 5 a.m.
When Lake County deputies arrived, they determined the victim was dead. There were signs of trauma to his body investigators later determined it was a hit-and-run.
The victim has been identified as 21-year-old Demossi Jarrod Weaver. According to a report by Florida Highway Patrol, Weaver was either standing or walking in the eastbound lane of Old Highway 441 west of North Orange Blossom Trail when he was struck by a pickup truck.
Troopers say the pickup will have "some damage to the grille area."
The owner of a nearby convenient store told Spectrum News there is video of a pickup truck seen near the store with damage done to the front grille. Authorities don't have the color of the truck, but they're hoping the lead will help catch whoever is responsible for the deadly hit-and-run.
“Demossi is a good kid, well educated, and comes from a good environment and a good family," saud Antonio Randolf, Weaver's uncle.
Randolf didn't have any answers on why his nephew was out walking so early in the morning, though he wanted to put an end to any rumors.
“I don't know what took place, what happened at that point in time, but I know for a fact it ain't what people portray it to be," he said.
The stretch of road is also very dark -- there are no street lights.
Vigil held by loved ones
A large group gathered for a vigil Friday evening. It was the same day they learned about Weaver's death.The vigil was held off Old 441 and Harris Road, where his body was discovered Friday morning.
His grandmother led the crowd in prayer saying, “I thank you Lord for the time that I spent with Demossi. I will carry him in my heart.”
His brother Roderick said Waver “never had any negative comments to say about anybody. He was always just a fun-loving, caring person. He’s 21, very young, a whole lot of life to live ahead of him, still hadn’t got a chance to have children, be able to see the world, have all the life experiences that everyone is so used to having."
“I’m trying to do my best to hold my composure because I don’t want to let family and friends down. I don’t want to not be there for people, but I lost someone who was there for me and someone I was there for and it’s just a lot of heartbreak and a lot of sadness,” Roderick said.
He says his family is grounded by faith, and they will lean on that for strength through their heartbreak.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact troopers at 407-7737-2213, or Crimeline.