Daniel Avena's Family Seeks Justice in Hit-and-Run

0:00It's April 9th. Tampa Bay News today starts now, AI-powered and ready. Nearly five months ago, on November 16th, 39-year-old Daniel Avena, a father of three, was killed in a hit-and-run on Boyette Road in, Wesley Chapel, Florida. He was walking home from a nearby racetrack gas station when a dark SUV struck him and fled. Florida Highway Patrol believes it was possibly a Toyota 4Runner with fog lights and a front grille guard. Troopers release surveillance images right away showing the SUV pulling into the racetrack lot where it looked like someone was wiping off a headlight. But the driver never called 911 and Daniel's body lay undiscovered until the next morning on that busy road. Family and friends are heartbroken, saying the lack of closure hurts almost as much as the loss. They described Daniel, nicknamed Bernie Mack, as a joyful guy with a contagious smile and a passion for cooking that brought everyone together. No arrests yet, and the case is stalled with no vehicle located.

1:02Now the family is raising money through a fundraiser to hire a private investigator and push for answers. If you know anything about that SUV or the driver, do the right thing and contact Florida Highway Patrol. Daniel's light still shines through his loved ones and they deserve justice to finally move forward.