The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is looking for the driver who hit and killed 40-year-old Brandon Venegas.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Family and friends are seeking answers following the death of their loved one, who was struck and killed in a hit-and-run in Jacksonville’s Arlington neighborhood. Brandon Venegas was discovered deceased in the Walgreens parking lot on Merrill Road on May 26, 2025. Venegas’s friends are hopeful that newly released surveillance footage will help identify the person responsible.
Tesha Carter has been friends with Venegas for more than 20 years.
“It wasn’t expected. I had actually just talked to him maybe two or three days prior to this happening,” Carter said.
Carter was shocked when she heard the news of his death. She said Venegas was a good man who loved his family and his young daughter.
“He’s just really outgoing, funny guy, down to earth, very friendly, give you the shirt off his back,” Carter said.
Three weeks later and still no arrests have been made. Carter is now hoping for a break in the case.
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) has released new surveillance footage showing the vehicle suspected to be involved in the hit-and-run. The footage, captured by a surveillance camera, depicts a white, mid-size SUV.
As investigators continue to search for answers, Carter wants to keep her friend’s memory alive and provide some sense of closure for his family.
“He would pretty much do anything that I recall for you. Just being the brother and the friend that you just wanted to talk to you at any time, could just always be there for you,” Carter said.
Anyone with information on what happened or anyone who has seen the car believed to be involved is urged to call JSO at 904-630-0500 or First Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.
