Quentin Antonio Aguirre Killed in Jacksonville Pedestrian...
A second driver pulling a U-Haul trailer fled the scene after striking the victim on Western Boulevard
Quentin Antonio Aguirre, 30, of Yorktown, Indiana, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on Western Boulevard at Gateway Drive South early July 10, according to the Jacksonville Police Department.
The initial impact occurred when a Jeep Wrangler struck the man as he walked in the road at approximately 12:27 a.m. As the Jeep's driver stopped to render aid, a second vehicle pulling an enclosed U-Haul trailer struck the victim and fled the scene, investigators said.
Aguirre was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Police are actively searching for the hit-and-run driver. Investigators are also looking for the driver of a white bucket truck pulling a trailer, captured on video in the area, who may have witnessed the fatal collision.
North Carolina pedestrian deaths have surged in recent years, with 281 people killed statewide in 2024, a 12% increase from 250 pedestrian fatalities in 2023.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Traffic Investigator I. Patterson at 910-938-6402 or Crime Stoppers.
How common are nighttime pedestrian death in North Carolina?
Families navigating the sudden loss of a loved one often face a complex path to justice, especially when multiple vehicles are involved.
In pedestrian accidents such as this, traffic safety analysts note that intersection visibility and driver behavior play critical roles.
Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal, said, "Distracted driving increasingly contributes to pedestrian fatalities, and even momentary attention lapses can prove devastating when a person steps into traffic."
"Serving as an advocate, an attorney pursues cellphone records through subpoena, interviews witnesses about driver behavior before impact, and coordinates with forensic specialists examining vehicle maintenance and functionality," added Bond, who is also a national legal analyst for Accident News.
What factors complicate hit-and-run investigations on Western Boulevard?
When a driver flees a crash scene, law enforcement must rely on secondary evidence like surveillance footage, debris, and witness accounts to identify the suspect vehicle. The presence of a secondary vehicle, such as the white bucket truck sought by Jacksonville police, can provide important investigative leads.
North Carolina wrongful death statute
Under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 28A-18-2, surviving family members may file a wrongful death action. North Carolina applies contributory negligence. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Recoverable damages may include loss of financial support, loss of services and companionship, funeral expenses, and the estate's losses.
"Witness statements gathered immediately after fatal crashes contain critical observations about speed, visibility, and driver behavior. An attorney conducting parallel interviews ensures accounts remain consistent, documented independently, and preserved if insurance carriers attempt dismissing family claims based on incomplete investigation," noted Stefano Formica, a national legal analyst for Accident News and of counsel at Bond Legal.