Family Mourns Man Killed By Hit-And-Run Driver
BALTIMORE COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- A car hit and killed a young father and the car just kept on going. Family, friends and police need your help to track down that driver.
Kai Jackson has the pleas for justice from the victim's friends and family.
They're trying to turn their grief into action, asking for the public's help to catch this young man's killer.
"Every weekend, he's going fishing. `Where's Jay? He's going fishing,'" said brother-in-law Bill Baldauf.
Surrounded by photos, friends and family remember Jason Cheslik, 29, who loved to fish and spend time with his 7-year-old daughter.
"That little girl loved her daddy so much," said Parobe Coley, Cheslik's friend.
But happy memories can't mask the pain they feel over Cheslik's sudden death.
"I lost a piece of me," said his brother, Troy Cheslik.
Troy is now focused on finding Jason's killer, posting flyers in the neighborhood along Hazelwood Avenue where moments after 2 a.m. Sunday, Jason was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver.
"The last things I could do for my brother is, one is to take care of his 7-year-old daughter and the other thing is find the person that did this," Troy Cheslik said.
Police say it happened when Jason Cheslik stepped out in between two cars into Hazelwood Avenue when he was struck by a van that kept on going. That van is described as a white or light-colored 2004 to 2008 Ford Econoline. It may have damage to the front end or left headlight.
"Whoever did it, hopefully they can't sleep. Hopefully it's gnawing at them," Baldauf said.
Baldauf hopes guilt brings the driver forward and brings justice for Cheslik.
"There has to be justice. Be it whatever reason this person did what they did, we don't know. I don't care, but what I do care about is this person needs to step up or this person needs to be found," Baldauf said.
"He's a great father and a great cousin," said Karen Pantazonis, Cheslik's cousin.
Friends and family held a candlelight vigil in Jason's honor at 8 p.m. Tuesdaynear the scene of the crime, in front of Charlie Brown's Bar in the 400-block of Hazelwood Avenue.
"CPR and just checked his pulse, called 911. I even tried to flag people down [in case someone was a doctor]," said Karly Kante, who was with Cheslik at the time of the hit-and-run.
Anyone with information on the driver or the location of the vehicle is urged to call Baltimore County Police or you can remain anonymous and possibly even earn some reward money by calling Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7-LOCKUP.
