The family of a young South Florida mother who died in a car crash is asking the driver to turn himself in. Markay Hunt, 21, died after the car he was riding in hit a tree in Margate on Monday.
Her young child was also in the car with her, but he survived and the driver of the car took off before police arrived.
On Saturday, Hunt’s family and friends returned to the crash site for a candlelight vigil and balloon release.
“I don’t think he deserved to go through the tragedy that he did,” Jermaine Nixon said. “I’m hurt right now.”
A tragedy that has left family members searching for answers.
Family describes Hunt as brave, loyal, open and independent. His daughter Keionni was his world.
“She was a nice little girl who always wants to make her son happy,” Nixon said.
Margate police say Hunt was in a car with three other people Monday, including her 1-year-old daughter, when the driver lost control and hit a tree near the intersection of Rock Island Road and Northwest 1st Street. Police say Hunt died at the scene and his daughter and another woman were taken to the hospital.
Her daughter, who turned two on Friday, survived the accident, but will now have to grow up without her mother.
“She’s a good girl who loved her son to death,” Shurkida Smith said. “Whoever did this, I want them to turn themselves in, a mother lost her son and a boy lost his mother and you have to have a heart.”
The family says their focus is now shifting to getting justice.
“We want the person who really caused this tragedy in our life to come forward, that’s all,” said Hunt’s grandmother, Kim Kerr. “We understand you’re human and you make mistakes, but get ahead of yourself.”
The family says that when they see the now 2-year-old, they see Markya, and that brings them some comfort, and as they raise her, they will always share memories of their mother with her.
“I have a lot to tell him about his mother, how she was so generous and loving, and I know it will be because she is now,” Kerr said.
The crash remains under investigation and police are asking anyone who witnessed it to call them at 954-972-7111. A GoFundMe was set up for the family. https://www.gofundme.com/f/lay-this-courageouslovingprincess?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=p_cp%20share-sheet&fbclid=IwAR0FCpN_j03lWB3hj3k2e-MQYaV6Axlp50p6PhpN6
