Background: The Jacksonville, Fla., location where Genesis Webber lost her life (WTLV/WJXX). Inset (left): Andre Myers (Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office). Inset (right): Genesis Webber (GoFundMe).
A Florida man who was out on bond has been arrested in connection with an alleged hit-and-run that took the life of a teenage girl.
Genesis Webber, aged 13, was on Arlington Road North in Jacksonville, Florida, Tuesday night when a truck veered onto the sidewalk and struck her. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said a passerby found the unresponsive girl and alerted 911. Sadly, there was nothing that first responders could do upon their arrival.
The police investigation led to 54-year-old Andre Myers, discovered asleep in his truck the following night. He was arrested and charged for fleeing the scene of a fatal crash without providing aid.
According to authorities, surveillance footage during the alleged hit-and-run captured Genesis on the sidewalk. Cameras recorded a truck “deviating from the road,” hitting Genesis, and then “smashing through a chain-link fence before continuing forward.”
Evidence collected at the scene identified Myers as a suspect, prompting the authorities to trace his truck’s movements. During the investigation, it revealed that Myers was out on bond for a separate issue and had an ankle monitor fitted.
Local station WTLV/WJXX, a combined NBC and ABC affiliate network, reported June charges against Myers, alleging he threatened to run over someone with his vehicle. Myers faced aggravated assault charges and had attended court on Wednesday morning for proceedings related to that previous charge.
Myers is being held in Duval County Jail on $1 million bond. His next court date is scheduled for Oct. 23.
In a GoFundMe set up to raise money for Genesis’ funeral, her mother stated, “There are no words for the pain I feel right now.” She added that in addition to laying her daughter to rest, she wants to “fight for justice and safety so no other family has to endure what I am going through.”
