LAKELAND, Fla. — City police are searching for the driver of a pickup that was involved in a Friday hit-and-run that sent a man to the hospital.

What You Need To Know

  •  The incident happened in the 3400 block of US 98 around 10:25 p.m. on November 10.

  •  Police say a dark-colored pickup hit the victim and then drove off

  •  The victim is still recovering in the hospital

Lakeland Police say that 29-year-old Justin Jones was hit by the truck just before 10:30 p.m. near the 3400 block of US 98 North. The driver of the dark-colored pickup truck attempted to swerve, but hit Jones and stopped briefly before driving off, according to officials.

“He’s doing much better considering the trauma that he went through," said Jones' father, Jesse.

Jones is married with two kids, ages 9 and 8 months. 

“He's a great father, husband and brother," Jesse said.

Jesse said his son was in Lakeland for a golf trip with his coworkers when he was hit while trying to cross the road.  A witness did manage to get a blurry picture of the pickup truck that was involved.

Police aren’t sure of the make and model and only say it was dark.

Justin has a huge support system of family and friends who have rallied around him and have managed to put together a $7,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest. Jesse says that his son has a long road of recovery and no telling when he might be able to get out of the hospital. 

If you have any information related to this investigation, you can connect Heartland Crime Stoppers Florida at 1-800-400-8477.