Family searching for answers after hit and run crash

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FORT MYERS, Fla.- A family is desperate for answers after their son and brother was killed in a hit and run crash.

The accident happened at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Palm Avenue early Sunday morning.

Evan Shepherd and his family celebrated his 27th birthday just days before this crash.

His family tells WINK News it’s been extremely difficult to hear the details of this investigation but they’re hoping anyone with information will come forward.

“I just want to know what happened. I can’t be angry. My brother’s gone. I just want to know what happened,” said Lauren Harkins, Shepherd’s sister.

Harkins and her family are on a mission to find out what exactly happened. Investigators say Shepherd’s car hit a tree and flipped Sunday morning –pinning him inside his Kia Soul. However, after talking to witnesses, police say they’re now searching for another person involved in that crash who fled the scene.

“I’m sure that it’s very difficult for whomever else was involved we just would hope that they would come forward and so we can get a better explanation of what happened to Evan and I know it’s difficult but I hope that they can find it in their hearts to do that for our family,” said Patricia Sala, Shepherd’s mother.

“We all know that it’s bad to be in a traffic crash, unfortunately we all see crashes every day, but as soon as you make that conscious decision to depart that scene and leave that scene before you fulfill your obligations, you’re now a criminal,” said Lt. Gregory Bueno with Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP says there has been an increase in hit and run crashes across the state and now troopers need your help to solve their cold cases.

Shepherd’s family says they are very appreciative to the people who stopped to help Evan and were with him during his last few moments. They’re asking that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to an art scholarship fund in his name through Lee County Schools.

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