People who work in businesses along U.S. Highway 19 near its intersection with State Road 52 said while news of a fatal hit and run nearby was sad, it wasn't surprising.

  • Woman, 46, killed in Hudson hit-and-run crash
  • Jamie Dawn Patterson died at the scene
  • Residents concerned about number of crashes in area

"About three, four weeks ago, we just had another hit that wasn't a run, but there was a death," said Sky Mathos, a technician with Ice Cold Air, an auto repair shop.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, Jamie Dawn Patterson, 46, was fatally struck around 11:30 p.m. Wednesday while trying to cross U.S. 19. The driver left the scene.

Mathos said he's worked along U.S. 19 for three years. In that time, he has seen a number of close calls and crashes.

"People don't pay attention," he said. "Can't tell you how many times I've been sitting at the light at (SR) 52 to do a u-turn, my light's green, and three, four cars come across 52, turning left right in front of me."

Gina Ginocchio, manager at Happy Heads Hair Salon, said it's a high pedestrian area.

"People don't want to have to walk from traffic light to traffic light just to cross the street," she said. "They're crossing 19 and trying to beat the car."

Data from FHP shows the stretch of 19 between 52 and Hachem Drive saw 367 crashes between Jan. 1, 2013, and April 1 of this year. Of those, only nine involved pedestrians.

Still, those we spoke with urge caution for people traveling through the area.

FHP is asking anyone with information on the crash that killed Patterson to give them a call at 813-558-1800 or Crime Stoppers at 800-873-TIPS.

Troopers are looking for a black, four-door, older model sedan that might be a Ford Taurus. It has heavy window tint throughout and silver pin-striping on the side.