Dalton Penkacik was killed in a hit-and-run early Friday morning. His brother, 12-year-old Brighton Penkacik, also died after being struck by a car on Sept. 1.
A Jacksonville family is mourning the tragic loss of two brothers who were both struck and killed by cars, precisely three months apart.
The most recent victim, identified by the Penkacik family, is 25-year-old Dalton Penkacik. Dalton, employed at an Amazon delivery center in Jacksonville, was on his way to work when the fatal incident occurred at 1:15 a.m. on Blanding Boulevard.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO), an officer, responding to a separate call, discovered Dalton lying across the inside southbound lane at the time of the incident. Shockingly, the driver of the vehicle that struck Dalton fled the scene without providing assistance, calling for help, or reporting the incident. Based on evidence at the crash scene, detectives suspect the hit-and-run vehicle is a Volkswagen.
Tragically, Dalton’s younger brother, 12-year-old Brighton Penkacik, had also been struck and killed by a vehicle three months earlier on September 1. Brighton was on his way to school, running from a dog near Lane Avenue S., when the accident occurred. The driver in Brighton’s case remained on the scene and cooperated with the Jacksonville police.
The JSO is urging anyone with information about the recent hit-and-run incident involving Dalton to contact their non-emergency number at 904-630-0500. Alternatively, individuals can provide anonymous tips and become eligible for a potential cash reward by reaching out to Crime Stoppers at 1-866-845-TIPS.