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Polk County family hoping for break in cold case
FOX 13's Carla Bayron talked with the victim's niece who says that the pickup truck driver that hit and killed Leonard Wimberly eight years ago is still out there.
LAKE WALES, Fla. - The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is still searching for the driver who hit and killed a bicyclist eight years ago.
The backstory:
According to PCSO, Leonard Wimberly, 56, of Haines City, was struck while riding a three-wheeled bike westbound on Masterpiece Road near Longhorn Drive just after midnight on October 28, 2017.
Investigators said Wimberly’s bike was struck by a pickup truck that was also traveling westbound.
Traffic homicide investigators found a truck’s side-view mirror at the scene and took it as evidence.
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They believe the suspect was driving an older Dodge 2500 or 3500 pick-up truck, possibly a 1998-2009 model.
What they're saying:
October 28th remains a tough day.
"My mind's everywhere," said Danielle Castilleja, Wimberly's niece. "Because, I wonder, does the person who did this to him think about that night?"
It's the day Castilleja and her family are most reminded of the pain of losing her uncle.
"My uncle would give you his last dollar," she said. "My uncle would do anything just to see a smile. My uncle was the type of person you don't come across twice, even to a stranger. He was just a gentle giant."
Castilleja says her family is left hoping and praying the suspect does the right thing and turns themselves in.
"It's never going to bring him back, but it'll bring closure and justice to see what they deserve for killing somebody," she said.
Giving up on finding his killer isn't an option.
"If nobody is thinking about it, I'll make sure as long as I live, it's going to get out. Somebody's going to hear me," said Castilleja.
Dig deeper:
In a previous interview with FOX 13, Wimberly’s family said that he never got a driver’s license and preferred to walk or ride his bike to get around.
After the crash, a white memorial cross was erected at the crash site to honor the gentle giant lovingly known as "Big Foot," a man who they say adored children and never knew an enemy.
PREVIOUS: $6,000 reward offered to solve Polk County hit-and-run cold case
Heartland Crime Stoppers is offering a $6,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of the person responsible.
What you can do:
Anyone with information is asked to provide tips to Heartland Crime Stoppers at 1-888-400-TIPS (8477). Tipsters will remain anonymous.
If an arrest is made based on your tip, you could even be eligible for a reward.
The Source: This article was written with information from the Polk County Sheriff's Office and previous FOX 13 News reports.