Family of woman killed in hit-and-run near Fort Lauderdale pleads for information
NEAR FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — The family of a woman who was struck and killed by two cars near Fort Lauderdale has reached out to the public to ask for information about the drivers who, authorities said, fled the scene.
According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, 43-year-old Neosha Drayton was hit along the 600 block of Northwest 31st Avenue, in unincorporated Broward County, just after midnight, Saturday.
Monday evening, 7News cameras captured a small makeshift memorial placed by family members near the spot where Drayton was struck.
“We’re grieving really badly here,” said Shebram Campbell, the victim’s sister.
Investigators said no one stopped to help the victim. Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews pronounced her dead at the scene.
“She’s gone now, and we can’t even see her face or nothing,” said Shirley Brown Wingo, Drayton’s grandmother, as she fought back tears. “Oldest granddaughter, I love her. She spent time with me last week. She was out here with me, and I didn’t know that I wouldn’t see her again.”
Authorities are not sure whether or not the second driver was even aware of what had happened when they struck Drayton.
Her loved ones said information about the motorists behind the crash would go a long way toward their healing.
“Just remember, she’s somebody’s daughter, mother, sister, you know what I’m saying?” said Shebram. “It’s not right to have left her like that.”
“Accidents do happen, and if it was an accident, please come back and let people know that it was an accident, but don’t leave us out here with her, without knowing anything of what happened to her,” said Sonja Campbell, Drayton’s mother.
Drayton’s family said they don’t know where she was going at the time of the crash. They said she was about a mile away from her Fort Lauderdale apartment.
Now they’re hoping one or both of the drivers will come forward and surrender to authorities.
“She’s a young, vibrant, beautiful young lady, and now we have to bury her,” said Sonja.
“We’re doing our best. We can’t even have proper closure, knowing that we can’t even have an open casket,” said Shebram. “I can’t even hold her hand or kiss her goodbye one last time.”
Drayton leaves behind a 5-year-old son. Loved ones said he hasn’t fully grasped what has happened.
“I don’t know what to tell him. I don’t,” said Tara Drayton, the victim’s aunt.
“If you see something, say something,” said Sonja. “It would bring a lot of stress relief for us.”
Drayton family has started a GoFundMe page to help with burial expenses.
If you have any information on this hit-and-run or the drivers’ whereabouts, call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-TIPS. Remember, you can always remain anonymous, and you may be eligible for a $3,000 reward.
