Family of hit-and-run victim wants driver to surrender; FHP has seized the vehicle

Austin L. Miller, Ocala Star-Banner
Updated ·4 min read
3

Editor's note: This story has been updated to provide a correct link to the GoFundMe page.

Nathan Manypenny loved reading. He always wanted to learn something new. A welder and a mechanic, Manypenny also enjoyed the outdoors, camping and swimming.

Last week, Manypenny was going home when a sport utility vehicle struck and killed him in a hit-and-run crash. He was hit less than half a mile from where he lived.

"Whoever did this took a good person," said one of his sisters, Carla Pilkons. "He would do anything for anyone."

Sentenced: Marion man sentenced to 15-year prison term for leaving scene of crash that killed a woman

Unsolved: Mom of Ocala man killed in hit-and-run crash: 'He didn't deserve to be taken like that.'

About this crash

Florida Highway Patrol officials said the vehicle was traveling south on Northeast Jacksonville Road, in the area of Northeast 31st Street. Manypenny, riding a bicycle, was traveling west across Jacksonville Road.

Troopers said when the SUV and Manypenny approached the intersection, the vehicle hit the bicycle.

Troopers said the SUV drove away from the scene. Manypenny, 38, of Ocala, was transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital, where he later died. The crash occurred shortly before 8:20 p.m. on April 5, troopers said.

Nathan Manypenny and one of his children.
Nathan Manypenny and one of his children.

"He went to the convenience store and was on his way back home when he was hit," Pilkons said.

FHP investigates

In their investigation, troopers found the SUV, an older model Chevrolet Suburban, at a residence in Citra. The vehicle was seized and sent to the FHP office for proccessing.

FHP officials seized this older model Chevrolet Suburban, which they say was involved in a hit-and-run fatality on April 5.
FHP officials seized this older model Chevrolet Suburban, which they say was involved in a hit-and-run fatality on April 5.

Investigators won't reveal many details about the case, such as the name of the vehicle's owner or any specific information about the vehicle, because it's an ongoing investigation.

Manypenny's death is the 23rd traffic fatality that FHP has investigated in Marion County so far this year. At this time last year, the agency had investigated 28 traffic deaths. In 2022, 99 people were killed in traffic crashes in Marion County.

These numbers doesn't include traffic fatalities for the cities of Ocala, Belleview and Dunnellon.

Last year, troopers said, they had six hit-and-run deaths in unincorporated Marion. Manypenny's death is the first hit-and-run death the FHP has investigated in Marion so far this year.

All about Nathan Manypenny

Pilkons said she and her family are devastated, heartbroken and saddened about her brother's death.

"Everyone loved him. He was friendly, and good with children," she said.

Born in Gainesville, Manypenny was raised in Ocala, where he attended elementary, middle and high schools. He was the third of eight children. Manypenny later moved to Georgia for roughly a year, then returned to Ocala.

Carla Pilkons holding her brother's hand in the hospital.
Carla Pilkons holding her brother's hand in the hospital.

Manypenny was married, but is now divorced. He's a father of two boys and a girl.

A family friend was at the scene shortly after the crash. He realized Manypenny was the victim and went to the home of Pilkons' sister, Amanda Manypenny, to report the news. Manypenny had been living with Amanda, Pilkons said.

Amanda's boyfriend went to the scene and performed CPR on Manypenny.

Family's message to the suspect: Turn yourself in

Manypenny was transported to HCA Florida Ocala Hospital and put on life support. Pilkons said hospital staff told them Manypenny failed a brain test. His organs were harvested, and Pilkons said her brother was taken off life support on Easter Sunday, April 9.

She said when they transferred her brother to HCA Florida West Marion Hospital to donate his organs, he was given a tribute walk as the family stood in the hallway.

Pilkons said her brother's heart, liver and kidneys were donated, and his pancreas is being used for scientific research for diabetes.

Nathan Manypenny with a family member and friend in the outdoors.
Nathan Manypenny with a family member and friend in the outdoors.

For the SUV driver, Pilkons said she hopes he/she can find "find it in their heart to come forward and turn themselves in."

"I'm going to miss him making people laugh. He could light up a room," she said about her brother.

A GoFundMe page https://www.gofundme.com/f/cremation-celebration-of-life-for-nate?utm_source=facebook has been created for Manypenny to assist the family with cremation.

Anyone with any information about the crash, can call Cpl. Mark Baker at (352) 512-6645, Crime Stoppers at **TIPS, or (352) 368-STOP (7867), or visit www.crimestoppers.com

Contact Austin L. Miller at austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb

This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Family of man killed in a hit-and-run last week wants justice