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Family frustrated over unsolved hit-and-run

Posted at 11:39 PM, Feb 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-02-16 05:25:58-05

A Space Coast family is desperate for answers. More than a month ago their loved one was hit and killed by a driver who fled the crash scene. 

Florida Highway Patrol says the case is still unsolved and is one of thousands. A spike in hit and run crashes last year is why Troopers are launching the Hit and Run: From Bad 2 Worse campaign.

On the very first day of 2016, Josh Letts had to explain to his two young boys why they will never see their grandfather again. 

Lett's father, Daniel David Letts was killed on New Year's Day while walking on Southwest 20th Avenue in Vero Beach. The driver who hit him never stopped. 

"I'm sure they wake up and think about it every day," said Letts.

Josh and his sister set up a memorial for their faither near the intersection of Southwest 1st place. 

"Every time he looks at that cross I hope he thinks about it," added Letts.

Florida Highway Patrol says nearly 200 people were killed in hit and run crashes last year, half of those were pedestrians. There were more than 92,000 hit and runs in 2015, that's about 8,000 more than 2014. 

"Somebody out there knows something for sure," said Letts.

There's still a driver out there who took away Josh's father. They can no longer golf and fish like they used to. There won't be a 56th birthday celebration for his Dad next month. 

Letts says he hopes one day the driver will come forward to give the family closure and let justice be served.

"When you hit somebody help, stop, you could have saved all of them lives," added Letts.

FHP believes the driver who hit Letts may have been in a pick-up truck or SUV, possibly orange in color. Anyone with information should call Crimestoppers.

It is a first degree felony to leave the scene of a crash  that killed someone. The minimum sentence is four years in prison.