Arrest made in Ocala fatal hit and run incident

OCALA, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - “It’s hard for me to believe that everything is going on right now,” said Danielle Jones, 21, the daughter of Kevin Jones.

It is hard for her to describe the last nine days, since her father, Kevin, was killed by a hit-and-run driver, in Marion County.

Jones said,  “I’m still in shock that, you know, everything’s happened.”

Daniel Vavra, 41, of Anthony, is in jail and charged in connection with Kevin Jones’ hit-and run-death. Vavra turned himself in to Ocala police Sunday afternoon.

“I’m glad he was able to find the courage in himself and come forward with it,” Jones said.

On August 20, the Florida Highway Patrol said Jones was walking along U.S. Highway 441 near County Road 329 in Marion County, when he was hit by Vavra’s car.

According to investigators, Vavra admitted he was the one behind the wheel.  In a report, Vavra told investigators he thought he hit a deer.

“The main thing I want to know is why he couldn’t of at least stopped?” Jones asked. “If he would’ve stopped, there’s no telling where we would be at today. He might’ve still made it.”

Now, Danielle is a step closer to justice for her father

“It gave us that closure as to what happened,” She said.

Jail records say Vavra’s bond is at $25,000. His arraignment is scheduled for September 27 at 9 a.m.

Pamela Jones and her sister, Danielle, are stunned their father, 45-year-old Kevin Scott Jones, is gone.

"I'm sad that he's gone. He has grandchildren that won't every get to see him again. My oldest son was his best friend," said Pamela.  "My dad was a great person. He would've given you the shirt off his back if he had to," added Danielle.

FHP said Jones was walking here along U.S. Highway 441 near County Road 329 in Marion County, when he was hit by a car.

"He wasn't supposed to go like that,” Pamela said through her tears.

The driver kept going and left him for dead. It was until nearly a day later when a mailman discovered his body Saturday afternoon.   Investigators said the suspect left some crucial clues behind at the scene, including pieces of the car.

"If you've seen a red Nissan or Infiniti passenger vehicle that has damage to the front around the area of the headlight or the windshield," said FHP Captain Gregory Lamont.

"I don't hate you. I don't want you dead. I just want to know why?" Pamela asked.  "Why couldn't you spend five minutes to call. Why couldn't you try to help him? He could've still been alive."

Danielle said,  "You just come forward, and admit what you did."

If you know anything about this incident, call FHP at 352-732-1260 (ext. 237), Marion County Crime Stoppers at 352-368-7867, or Alachua County Crime Stoppers at 352-372-7867.

Jones’ family has also set up a Go Fund Me account to help pay for funeral expenses, found here.