Cold Case: Florida Family Mourns Father’s Death in Hit-Run
A Central Florida family is mourning the loss of a father killed in a hit-and-run in Lake County six months ago. The case remains unresolved.
LAKE COUNTY, Florida – A Central Florida family is still searching for answers six months after losing a loved one to a hit-and-run driver.
Levi Edwards won’t be home for the holidays. Christmas Eve marked six months since he was killed in Lake County. The case remains unresolved.
“He loved ‘dad jokes.’ In fact, we were known to send him T-shirts that said I tell stupid dad jokes,” said Levi’s mother, Nona Keeler.
“They have unanswered questions. They can’t start to have a closure,” said Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tara Crescezni.
Keeler said Levi was close to his 14-year-old daughter and still talks to his son when he visits his grave.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Levi Edwards, 35, was killed in multiple crashes and hit-and-run while bicycling on US 192 in Lake County in July 2022. [Credit: Nora Keeler]
The Florida Highway Patrol said Levi Edwards, 35, was killed in multiple crashes and hit-and-run while bicycling on US 192 in Lake County in July 2022. [Credit: Nora Keeler]
“Tell him that we have not forgotten him, that we love him and that we are not going to stop looking for answers,” he said.
FHP Troopers believe the 35-year-old man was riding a bicycle in the bike lane near US 192 when a truck rolled down US 27 and struck and killed him. It happened on June 24 at around 4:45 a.m. Cops said two other cars hit Levi after that and neither driver stopped.
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“Leaving him to die alone on the side of the road…just driving away makes it hard to think it was just a simple accident,” Keeler said.
“If you are scared, we understand, but it will be much scarier if you flee the scene, and now you are facing criminal charges,” Lt. Crescezni explained.
The Florida Highway Patrol said Levi Edwards, 35, was killed in multiple crashes and hit-and-run while bicycling on US 192 in Lake County in July 2022. [Credit: Nora Keeler]
Investigators hope someone witnessed the incident or has information about the case. As the FHP works on new leads, Keeler said he hopes a road marker now at the site where his son died will encourage someone to step up.
“The best Christmas present we can receive,” he said, “is to have the answers. To be able to put the accident in peace in our minds.”
If you have any information about this case, please contact Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS (8477).
