Remembering Good Samaritan killed in accident on I-10 in Jacksonville

JACKSONVILLE, Florida – Gavin Carter’s family members hugged each other and appeared emotional Wednesday as they News from First Coast about him as they shared memories of their beloved son, grandson, brother and fiancé.

“He had a sweet soul, a wonderful smile, a great laugh, was optimistic and talented and never let the hard times get him down,” said Cynthia Carter-Ross, Carter’s grandmother. “Gavin was remarkable, phenomenal and charismatic. You couldn’t help but love Gavin.”

“Gavin is my everything and that will not stop now,” said Victoria Carter, Gavin’s fiancée. “He truly taught me how to love and constantly pushed me to be a better person. I am at a loss. My only wish is that his beautiful soul can rest in peace.”

“We welcomed him into our family with open arms and looked forward to the day when we could call him our son-in-law,” said John Forbes, Carter’s father-in-law.

The 23-year-old tragically died Saturday when he stopped to assist a crashed vehicle on I-10 west of McDuff Avenue in Jacksonville.

“Every day he would text me or call me: ‘When are you coming home? Please take care of yourself,'” said Amelia Forbes, Carter’s sister-in-law. “And it’s horrible to know that the person who made sure I was safe wasn’t safe that night.”

“My son is gone far too soon,” said Dawn Carter, Gavin’s mother. “He was taken from us in a tragic way. The only consolation I can take is that Gavin died the way he lived, a good person who did the right thing.”

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the driver who struck Carter collided with a concrete barrier, abandoned his vehicle and left the scene of the accident.

And as his family continues to remember him, they want the person responsible for his death to turn themselves in.

“I would demand that the person responsible comes forward and takes responsibility for his actions,” said Carter’s mother. “He owes that to our family and our son.”

According to Carter’s family, his celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

If you have any information about this accident, you can call Crime Stoppers at 866-845-TIPS.