TAMPA, Fla. — A Tampa man's loved ones are mourning his loss, remembering him with a candlelight vigil just days after he was killed.
Darrell Lawson, 57, was riding his bike Tuesday evening in the area of East 21st Avenue when he was hit and killed by a driver who took off. Surveillance video of that moment was released on Wednesday.
Tampa police say they're now combing through that surveillance video and additional tips as they continue their search for a possibly light blue, gray or silver sedan involved in the crash.
As police search for the person who killed him, his family grieves.
"You watched him fall off your car and then keep going?" said Lawson's daughter, Ashley Stubbins. "It's the most inhumane thing you can do to anybody, but to him? To him of all people?"
For Stubbins and her mother, Valerie Lawson, this loss is unfathomable. Darrell Lawson was their hard-working, generous, doting patriarch.
"You left him for dead, but if you ever knew Darrell you would have stopped and given aid. Because he wasn't the man who deserved this," Valerie said.
His death leaves a gaping hole in his family and community.
"Are you going to sleep at night? Do you know you took someone's husband? Over 10 children's father, over 15 kids' grandad, two kids' great grandad. Like, do you know you have shattered not just a family, but a community?" Ashley said. "Like this is the community's lawn man, the old lady's guy that's going to bring her groceries in. The old man that you want to help across the street or go to the store. Who's going to do this for these people now?"
Lawson lived a big, impactful life, that on Thursday evening was remembered through tears and song at a candlelight vigil. Dozens of family and friends gathered near the spot where Lawson was killed to light candles, pray, and sing in his honor. They also called for the person who did this to be brought to justice.
"I have no sympathy for this person, but I pray whoever he or she is has a conscious and turns yourself in," Valerie said.
Police are hoping neighbors may have more video of the car or driver involved in this hit-and-run. They're asking people who live in the area to check their outdoor cameras for any recordings that can help with the investigation.
Anyone with information is urged to call police or leave an anonymous tip with Crime Stoppers.