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Mother of 5 killed in a hit-and-run crash

Posted at 10:58 PM, Feb 11, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-12 05:47:03-05

Five children were left without a mother when someone hit Tanya Martin, 42, and never stopped Wednesday night.

Martin was walking home from the bus stop when Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office investigators say she must have partially fallen into the northbound lane of Military Trail near Belvedere Road around 7:30 p.m.

"You took away my mom and I wish you guys could just tell who you are and tell us what happened," said Shaylin Martin, Tanya's 10-year-old daughter.

Shaylin and her sisters are begging for someone who saw the accident to cone forward. Tanya had just gotten off work and was making her way to her children.

"We’re all banding together just trying to stay strong for one another, staying positive just as much as we can, really trying to be there for my sister's five kids," said Michael Rochester, Tanya's brother.

Investigators say evidence shows Martin may have been hit by a tractor-trailer. The orange spray along the inside northbound lane means she may have been dragged for more than 200 feet.

"Just to be left on the side of the road like a piece of trash, I don't think it's right. I just think somebody needs to say something and let's just get to the bottom of this," said Sean Patterson, the father of Tanya's daughters.

Investigators with the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office say it is a possibility the driver may not know they hit someone. Anyone with information is asked to call the Sheriff's Office or Crimestopers at 1-800-458-TIPS.

Tanya's family has set up a Go Fund Me account for anyone who wishes to help with funeral expenses and financial help for her children.