ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The family and friends of Taj Palmer, a 21-year-old who tragically lost his life, are grappling with grief and anger. His mother, seeking justice, is pleading for answers about the circumstances surrounding her son’s death.

“I just want to understand why,” expressed Palmer’s mother, Ms. Proctor. “Why did the driver keep going? What did my son ever do to them?”

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that Palmer was struck by a vehicle while crossing Silver Star Road near Le Havre Boulevard without using a crosswalk around 11 p.m. on Monday. While the initial driver stopped to assist, a second vehicle, described as a blue Chevrolet Malibu, hit both Palmer and the first driver. Palmer was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

“This is incredibly difficult for me, especially as I’m already dealing with another child who is hospitalized,” Proctor shared, noting that the incident coincided with her youngest son’s surgery.

The FHP revealed that the second driver briefly exited the vehicle to inspect it before fleeing the scene. This action has left Palmer’s friends feeling outraged and demanding accountability. “It’s just so wrong,” said Antoinette Brand, a close friend of Palmer. “The person who did this didn’t even have the decency to apologize or show any compassion.”

This year alone, Silver Star Road has been the site of eight pedestrian accidents between Mercy Drive and Good Homes Road, with Palmer being the only fatality. Friends and family are calling for measures to prevent further tragedies. “They need to install more signs and improve crosswalks, similar to those on walking trails, to stop incidents like this from happening,” urged family friend Linda Harrell.

Palmer’s mother, sister, and friends describe him as loving and caring, with his whole life ahead of him. They say they are planning a memorial in his honor. “I pray that God finds you and you get locked up for life, because you just took my son’s life,” Proctor said. “I won’t be able to see him anymore.”

The family has also set up a GoFundMe to help cover Palmer’s funeral expenses.

FHP says the criminal investigation is still ongoing, and if you have any information, please contact FHP.