CBS4 Exclusive: Police Want To Question Missing Broward Man About Deadly Hit-&-Run
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PLANTATION (CBSMiami) – CBS4 has learned Plantation Police want to question a missing Broward man about a horrific and deadly hit-and-run accident three weeks ago that claimed the lives of two people including the son of a veteran BSO deputy.
The missing man's mother also says she has "no idea" if her son was connected to the accident but she tells CBS4's Peter D'Oench she is desperate to find him.
"I am worried about my son," said Astrid MacKrell in an exclusive interview with D'Oench.
Her 25-year-old son Steven was last seen early on the morning of July 30th.
"I have not heard from him for three weeks. He has never disappeared before. Never. This is not like him," she said.
Plantation Police spokesman and detective Robert Rettig said, "We have been looking at a possible connection between these cases for a while. This man has been missing and we would like to talk to him."
Authorities say MacKrell was last seen at 2:32 a.m. at the Valero gas station at 3601 North Dixie Highway in Pompano Beach when surveillance tape captured him inside the station and outside it at a gas pump with his 2013 white, 4-door Ford Fusion with a Florida tag of WJ70L.
The surveillance tape shows MacKrell lunging at a silver car that drives by at the gas pump. Police said he was a dispute with some other people in a car and they also released a surveillance photo of a "black male" who was a passenger in that vehicle and said they would like to identify that individual as well.
Plantation Police want to know if MacKrell was involved in an accident that happened 41 minutes later at the intersection of Pine Island Road and Peters Road.
Police said a pickup truck driver by 31-year-old Patrick Michael Kallman, the son of a veteran BSO deputy, hit a pole by the northbound lanes of Pine Island Road. His longtime girlfriend and passenger, 37-year-old Jennifer Jacon, died after she was ejected. Police say Kallman was crawling on the road when at least one vehicle struck him and took off.
MacKrell's mother said she did not know if her son was involved in that accident.
"I have no idea. No idea," said Astrid MacKrell. "He took off from the gas station and I believe that car was chasing him. Maybe they have him as a hostage.
"We heard some people talking about the Pine Island accident but we don't know," she said. "People are talking but we don't know. He's missing. His car is missing. There's been no activity on his credit cards. There's been no activity on his phone. Police initially thought there might be something but when they discovered he was in Pompano Beach there was a feeling that was too far away from Plantation.
"We are doing everything from working with Fort Lauderdale Police and now we have been working with BSO in Pompano Beach to see if his vehicle went in the water," she said. "If you know anything, if you see him or hear about him, call Fort Lauderdale Police or Broward Crime Stoppers."
Prior to being seen in Pompano Beach, MacKrell was seen at Lucky's Tavern at 214 S.W. 2nd St. in Fort Lauderdale.
Earlier McKrell's loved ones passed out flyers about him. His one-year-old daughter was with loved ones when the flyers went up.
Broward Crime Stoppers has released new flyers saying there's a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for MacKrell's disappearance. Information about his disappearance or location is being sought.
MacKrell is a white male, 5'10", 150 pounds with a medium build.
The number to call at Broward Crime Stoppers is (954) 493-TIPS (8477). You can also call 1 (866) 493-TIPS (8477) toll free.