Reward for Bicyclist Killed in Hit-and-Run 8 Years Ago Increases to $7,000: ‘You Can’t Hide’

James Ortibez the day after he was struck in Fort Lauderdale on Aug. 29, 2015, by a driver who fled the scene

The reward for information about a fatal hit-and-run in Florida has been increased to $7,000 eight years after the victim's mother pleaded for the driver to turn himself in while also issuing an ominous warning.

James Ortibez, 39, was killed in the early morning hours of Aug. 29, 2015, when he was knocked off his bicycle and into the street in Fort Lauderdale by a driver who took off, Broward County Crime Stoppers said Tuesday.

Ortibez was taken to the Broward Health Medical Center where he died the following day.

Fort Lauderdale police said their investigation determined that a four-door gold Volkswagen, model year 2009-2012, traveling in the same direction as Ortibez struck the cyclist.

The police said the driver did not stop to help and did not contact police.

Ortibez's mother, two days after the crash, warned the driver that justice would prevail.

“You took my son’s life, but you know what? He was a donor and he’s going to help a lot of people,” Mary Ortibez told Local10News.com . “You turn yourself in, because you can’t hide. We’re coming.”

Crime Stoppers said it is contributing $5,000 to the reward and Ortibez's family is contributing $2,000.

Anyone with information can contact Crime Stoppers by calling 954-493-8477 or by going on browardcrimestoppers.org.