A Florida woman has been arrested in connection with a fatal hit-and-run that claimed the life of a man trying to assist her. Julia Blackwell, 21, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death after police said she struck 59-year-old Ronald Bear with her pickup truck on May 16.
The Incident
According to a criminal complaint reviewed by Law & Crime, Blackwell was with friends early that morning when her silver pickup became stuck in a muddy ditch on the side of a highway. She called Bear for help, and he arrived with two relatives. Another black pickup was nearby, waiting.
Witnesses said Bear attached a tow strap to the black truck, which successfully pulled the silver pickup out of the mud. When Bear moved to remove the tow strap, Blackwell, who was behind the wheel of the silver truck, allegedly hit the gas, knocking Bear to the ground. One witness told police that Blackwell then backed over Bear before driving away, eventually getting stuck in more mud.
Another witness, who was with Blackwell at the time, did not see her strike Bear but said he heard her passenger yell, “You killed him.” Blackwell reportedly exited the silver pickup and got into the black truck with her passenger, leaving the scene.
Statement from Blackwell
After returning home to her mother’s house, Blackwell eventually spoke to police. She claimed that she believed her truck was still stuck in the mud and that she had heard a banging sound in front of her vehicle. When she put the truck in reverse, she said she then heard Bear yelling while he was on the ground.
Response and Investigation
Police arrived at the scene just before 6 a.m., and medical personnel had pronounced Bear dead approximately thirty minutes earlier. Authorities are investigating the circumstances, and Blackwell remains in custody at the Orange County Jail on a $15,000 bond. Her next court date has not been announced.
Family Reaction
Bear’s family spoke to CBS affiliate WKMG, remembering him as someone always willing to help others. They expressed hope that additional charges would be filed in connection with his death.
