St. Augustine teen dies following hit-and-run

A St. Augustine teenager is hit by a car Saturday night and later dies at the hospital.  We're told 15-year-old Haley N. Smith was walking with friends in the area of Kenton Morrison Rd. and Four Mile Rd. around 8:30pm Saturday when she was hit.

The St. Johns County Sheriff's Office tells WOKV News Smith died during surgery Saturday night.

Haley's family is pleading for help to find the driver responsible.   Bill and Jo-lee Manning went to the scene of the crash Sunday night clutching photos of their little girl.

Jo-lee Manning tells our partner Action News her daughter loved to dance. In just a couple of weeks she would've turned 16.

"She was so full of life, always lit up the room when she walked in," said Jo-lee Manning.

Smith's stepdad said while nothing will bring his little girl back, he wants to see justice so they can at least have closure.

"It's hard for her, it's hard for me, it's hard for everybody in our family. I just wish that nobody in this town would ever have to go through what we're going through," said Bill Manning.

A fund has been set up at Community First Credit Union under "Haley Nicole Smith" to help with funeral arrangements.

Police are looking for a small pick up truck possibly gold in color, and they're seeking any surveillance video from the area.

Anyone with any information concerning the identity of this vehicle or driver is asked to call Traffic Unit Deputy Joseph McGinnis at the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office at 209-1498.

You can also remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward by calling Crimestoppers of N.E. Florida at 1 (888) 277-TIPS.

Less than two weeks ago, another hit-and-run claimed the life of bicyclist Randy Miller.  He was struck and killed less than a mile away on State Road 16 near Four Mile Road.