Background: The location in Jacksonville, Fla., where Genesis Webber was killed (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, 13, was walking on a route on Arlington Road North in Jacksonville, Florida, on Tuesday night when she was hit by a truck that jumped the sidewalk. The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said that a pedestrian spotted the unresponsive girl and called 911. By the time first responders arrived, there was nothing they could do.
Police began an investigation, which ultimately led to 54-year-old Andre Myers, who was found asleep in his truck on Wednesday night. He was taken into custody and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death without rendering aid.
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According to police, video surveillance footage from the time of the alleged hit-and-run showed Genesis walking along the sidewalk. Cameras caught a truck “veering off the road” and running over Genesis before “crashing through a chain-link fence and continuing on.”
Police said that evidence found at the scene led them to name Myers as a suspect, and investigators began tracking his truck’s movements. During the investigation, police found that Myers was out on bond in connection with a separate crime and was wearing an ankle monitor.
WTLV/WJXX, a combined Jacksonville-based NBC and ABC affiliate network, reported that the June charges against Myers included an allegation that he threatened to run a man over with his car. Myers was charged with aggravated assault. He had appeared in court on Wednesday morning for an appearance related to that 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.”
