Suspect in fatal hit-and-run admits to drinking before accident

CAPE CORAL, Fla.- WINK News has learned the suspect in a deadly hit-and-run crash told police he was drinking before the accident.

Timothy Turner made his first court appearance Tuesday for hitting and killing 27-year-old Joel Nichols along NE Pine Island Road Sunday night.

Monday, police found a 1996 white Dodge Ram truck with heavy front right and passenger side damage outside Turner’s home. They say tire marks from striking the bicycle tire were plainly visible in the lower bumper area.

Police say Turner came outside saying “Yes I did it, I hit the guy on the bicycle, take me to jail.”

In the arrest report, police Turner described drinking a pitcher of beer at B A Hustlers before getting behind the wheel Sunday.

Turner reportedly told investigators that he noticed he hit something on Pine Island Road. He pulled over, then got scared and left without calling 911.

Nichols’ family members tell WINK News, that’s what’s tearing them up inside.

“If they had called 911 would he have lived? Did he suffer all night? That’s the big thing, I think, is haunting his mother right now,” said Shelly Staton, Nichols’ cousin.

Police were able to find Turner thanks to a tip.

In court Tuesday, his wife pleaded with the judge for mercy, saying Turner is the sole provider for the family.

The judge sided with the state and agreed to set his bond at $50,000. His next court date is in March.