In pursuit of justice, the family of Edward Hopkins Jr. is demanding answers following a hit-and-run incident.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The relatives of 66-year-old Edward Hopkins Jr. remain in search of clarity after he was hit by a car while using his motorized wheelchair, and the driver failed to stop.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office crash report details that this incident occurred on October 16, 2025, at approximately 7:15 p.m., near the intersection of Terry Road and Randy Road.
The report indicates that Hopkins was moving eastbound along the south shoulder of Terry Road in his motorized wheelchair when a vehicle, also traveling eastbound, veered off the road, collided with him, and then left the scene without stopping.
The family revisited the accident site nearly a day later, finding remnants of the shattered wheelchair and vehicle parts littering the roadside. Among these was a bumper, which they suspect is from a white Hyundai Elantra.
The officer who responded to the scene noted that Hopkins was found “lying on the sidewalk on the south side of Terry Road,” with his wheelchair “severely damaged” from the impact.
Hopkins told his older sister and legal guardian, Pat Bales, he had been heading home and didn’t remember being hit, only that he later woke up in pain.
Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews transported Hopkins to Memorial Hospital, where his family says he remains hospitalized with broken ribs, a fractured back, and a long recovery ahead.
With no leads and no suspect vehicle identified, the report concluded, “Case suspended pending information regarding [the driver].”
Hopkins’ family says they returned to the scene nearly 24 hours later and found pieces of the damaged wheelchair and car parts still scattered along the roadside — including a bumper believed to belong to a white Hyundai Elantra.
After interviewing with First Coast News, Hopkins’ sister Tyshelle Hunter sent an update they called JSO to come by and provided the evidence they collected from the scene.
The family’s discovery underscores concerns about pedestrian and wheelchair safety on local roads, prompting renewed calls for caution and awareness among drivers.
If you have any information on the driver who hit Edward Hopkins around 7:19 p.m. Thursday Oct 16 at the intersection of Terry Road and Randy Road, call Crimestoppers at 866-845-tips.
