ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – The tragic death of 21-year-old Taj Palmer has left his family and friends devastated and demanding answers. Palmer’s mother is desperately seeking closure and wants to know who is responsible for her son’s untimely passing.

“I just want to understand why,” expressed Ms. Proctor, Palmer’s mother. “Why did you continue driving? What could my son have possibly done to deserve this?”

The Florida Highway Patrol reports that Palmer was struck by a car while crossing Silver Star Road near Le Havre Boulevard late Monday night, around 11 p.m., without using a crosswalk. As the initial driver stopped to assist Palmer, a second vehicle, a blue Chevrolet Malibu, hit them both. Palmer was rushed to a nearby hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

“It’s incredibly difficult because I’m already coping with another child in the hospital,” Proctor shared emotionally. “This happened just as my youngest son was undergoing surgery.”

Authorities state that the driver of the second vehicle briefly exited his car to inspect the damage before fleeing the scene. This action has left Palmer’s friends outraged and eager for justice. “It’s just so wrong,” said Antoinette Brand, a close friend of Palmer. “Whoever did this didn’t even apologize, didn’t show any remorse. They just vanished without a word.”

This year, Silver Star Road has seen eight pedestrian crashes between Mercy Drive and Good Homes Road. Taj Palmer is the only fatality. Friends say more needs to be done to prevent another tragedy. “They need to put more signs at crosswalks like they have on the trail to prevent these kinds of things from happening,” said family friend Linda Harrell.

Palmer’s mother, sister, and friends describe him as loving and caring, with his whole life ahead of him. They say they are planning a memorial in his honor. “I pray that God finds you and you get locked up for life, because you just took my son’s life,” Proctor said. “I won’t be able to see him anymore.”

The family has also set up a GoFundMe to help cover Palmer’s funeral expenses.

FHP says the criminal investigation is still ongoing, and if you have any information, please contact FHP.