Family remembers North Monroe Street hit and run victim

January 15, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- It is a pain and heartache unlike any other. For the Bruce family, the past 24 hours have been unbearable, losing their beloved Jeremiah Tuesday night.

He was the father of a beautiful 4 year old, and an entertainer with a kind soul.

His father, Michael Bruce, says Jeremiah was also a man who touched the lives of many.

"Loving, caring, sweet, honest, musical," he said.

Jeremiah's father let his emotions get the best of him Wednesday afternoon. Tears rolled down his face as he continues to grieve the loss of his boy, just one week after he was

.

"Jeremiah fought and he fought and he fought," Bruce said. "Considering being hit by a car."

Florida Highway Patrol is still trying to track down the driver who is involved. Jeremiah's mother, Mary Madison, says that he was out with his friends at a Waffle House when he was hit head on. He was left behind on the road, as the suspect peeled off.

Madison says her son had his pelvis and legs broken as a result.

"I just can't see a human being not having no remorse for another human being," Madison said. "If I hit somebody I will try and get some help for them. He did not try to get no help for my son."

The case is still open, and Bruce hopes that the suspect does the right thing.

"You got two choices to make, you either turn yourself in or feel the vengeance that God has for Jeremiah, and you can't run and hide from that," he said.

Madison said that the family hasn't stopped mourning.

"I am empty, I have no feelings right now, its like my brain won't move," she said.

The family said they need time to heal, but that they hope for justice, as they remember a young man who is gone too soon.

"He is loved everywhere he goes," Madison said. "because he has a loving spirit."

Bruce smiled while he reminisced about his son.

"He was just that type of child, just that type of young man, just that type of father to his daughter. No one will forget Jeremiah," he said.

The family has set up a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses. You can

.

January 15, 2020

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — Jeremiah Bruce, who was the victim of a hit and run crash on North Monroe Street last Monday, has died from his injuries, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

FHP Public Information Officer Patricia Jefferson-Shaw confirmed this to WCTV Wednesday morning.

The crash happened just before 10 p.m. last Monday, when a silver or gray four-door Chrysler sedan hit Bruce while he was walking across N. Monroe. The car, which FHP troopers say is a model from 2011 to 2014, drove away from the scene.

showing what the alleged suspect in the crash did immediately after the collision.

The surveillance video shows a black male driver in a sedan pull down a street, get out of the vehicle and walk around to the front of the car, apparently to check out the damage. The person is then heard yelling an expletive, before getting back inside the vehicle and reversing out of the frame at a high rate of speed.

The crash caused damage to the bumper and grill.

Anyone who sees the damaged vehicle, or who may have any helpful information is asked to call Sgt. Pitts at 850-245-7700.