Search for driver in deadly hit-and-run crash

HUDSON (FOX 13) - Florida Highway Patrol is searching for a driver who ran over a woman crossing U.S. 19 in Hudson and left her for dead Wednesday night.

According to troopers, Jamie Dawn Patterson, 46, was just south of the State Road 52 intersection and was not in a crosswalk when she was hit by a car.

The driver took off. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Witnesses, including the driver of another car that was almost hit, got a good description of the vehicle: A late model, dark, four-door sedan with heavy window tinting and a custom paint job that included silver pin-stripe along the side of the vehicle.

"We're going to find this car, yes," said FHP Sgt. Steve Gaskins, adding there is never a good reason to drive away from a crash. "Maybe they don't have insurance, maybe they're just scared, maybe their license is suspended, maybe they're wanted. There are a lot of reasons we see why people actually leave the scene. None of those make it right."

Owners and workers at nearby businesses told FOX 13 this is the second deadly crash involving a pedestrian in the exact same location within the last month.

"It's extremely busy and very dangerous. Less than a month ago, somebody died right there," said Sky Mathos, who works at Ice Cold Air, an auto repair shop at the intersection of U.S. 19 and State Road 52. "It was in the middle of the day. A guy was trying to run across 19, got smacked by a car."

Mathos hopes this latest deadly crash is yet another lesson for drivers along the heavily-traveled road.

"People really need to pay attention. It's sickening to watch," he said.

Mathos and his boss, Nick Zammit are hoping the driver does the right thing.

"If you do something wrong, make it right and turn yourself in," Zammit said. "I have a family myself and it's not right and I couldn't imagine."

Anyone with information is asked to call FHP at (813) 558-1800 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-8477.