ORLANDO, Fla. – The Orlando Police Department provided new details Friday on a deadly hit-and-run crash that killed a 24-year-old woman in downtown Orlando earlier this month.
Police held a news briefing to discuss the search for the driver that hit and killed Lauren Winston at the intersection of East Washington Street and North Magnolia Avenue around 1 a.m. on Nov. 6.
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“We need your help to get justice for Lauren,” said Detective John Keefe with Orlando police’s traffic homicide unit.
According to investigators, the crash involved a black 2015 Dodge Challenger with Florida tag B-4-M-S-F.
“It appears that it had a badge on it. It’s like an either SRT or Hellcat, which is a very expensive two-door vehicle,” Keefe said.
On Sunday, loved ones gathered to celebrate Winston’s life and demand justice.
“In this case they’re not stepping up,” O’Keefe said. “They’re hiding and that’s why we need people’s help.”
Sherri Winston, the victim’s mother, rented a place in Kissimmee to have an intimate gathering to tell stories and reminisce about her positive spirit.
“It helps me to remember that she had more life than what happened in those few seconds,” Winston said.
In addition to the update from police on Friday, Winston also spoke about her daughter, whom she adopted in South Florida.
“I just want people to know that tomorrow would be the 21st anniversary of the confirmation of our adoption, and I had planned on writing something in my blog post to celebrate the adoption law,” Sherri Winston said. “And so here we are in Adoption Month, a day from our anniversary, and instead of celebrating her life, I’m making appeals to anyone who was in the area on the night of the accident to please come forward.”
During Friday’s news conference, Sherri Winston spoke to the driver responsible for the deadly crash.
“My message to the driver and the people who might be harboring the driver is to look at me. I’m not, you know, I’m not rich. I’m not wealthy. I’m not important — except I am important. I’m a human being. And Lauren — she wasn’t a model. She wasn’t Insta famous. She was a person, and you took a good person and you need to be accountable,” she said.
Investigators recently announced they were offering up to $5,000 to anyone who could help them identify the driver.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crimeline at 1-800-423-8477.