LAKE CITY, Fla. — Hit-and-run crashes are happening more along the First Coast, according to Florida Highway Patrol. It’s even cost the lives of some children in the area, leaving families waiting for closure.

In response to this growing crisis, the state has launched a campaign to raise awareness about what to do after a crash.

The consequences can be severe if someone leaves the scene, turning their actions from unintentional to criminal. 

“Distraction is a huge problem,” Sergeant Dylan Bryan, public information manager at Florida Highway Patrol, told First Coast News.

It’s one of the driving factors behind traffic crashes across the nation, and it’s why many have lost their lives on the First Coast. That includes 8-year-old Lauren Peterson.

Two suspects were arrested in the deadly hit in Columbia County. Julio Cesar Marquez is now charged with accessory after the fact and knowingly giving false information to authorities.

His wife, Kenia Gonzalez, is accused of driving the vehicle that hit the girl. She is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and making a false police report.

Over the weekend, First Coast News spoke with the 8-year-old’s family at a vigil. She was hit while riding her bike in Lake City.

“I miss her. I wish I could bring her back. I wish she could be here with us right now,” a family member told First Coast News.

Bryan hopes to lower these numbers with a hit-and-run awareness campaign that is dedicated to informing drivers on what to do when a crash happens.

First, pull over to a safe location.

“Removing crash vehicles from lanes of travel is a very safe thing to do,” Bryan said.

Next, call for help and stay at the scene. Remember to always notify law enforcement.

“Not all traffic crashes, require law enforcement response, but the notification is required,” Bryan added.

The consequences can be severe if you don’t follow these steps.

“If you leave the scene, you now have violated Florida Statute, and that’s a criminal offense that is a misdemeanor, and you can be arrested for such a charge,” Bryan said. “And of course, the charge can be elevated as well. It could go all the way up to a felony if serious bodily injury or even a fatality occurred from that crash.”

It’s a conversation Bryan hopes parents can have with their children.

“We have to teach them how to do so safely, whether it’s crossing the street, looking both ways, utilizing a sidewalk, walking your bicycle while crossing the road,” he said.

He also hopes drives will limit their distractions.

“Particularly in the early morning hours or in the evening, where the sun’s going down and it’s low visibility, low light conditions,” Bryan said. “We want people to be extra vigilant, to be observant while driving.”

If you have information on a hit-and-run crash, you can report it by calling *FHP (*347) or report it anonymously to Florida Crime Stoppers by calling **TIPS (**8477).

For more on the campaign, click here.