WHITE PINE, Tenn. (WATE) — An East Tennessee family is asking for help identifying the person responsible for a hit and run on an interstate in Florida that seriously injured a newlywed couple heading to their honeymoon.
Christopher and Mary Moore Coffey, of White Pine, were traveling on I-95 in Volusia County after their Sept. 12 wedding when Florida Highway Patrol says a white Dodge Charger merging onto the southbound highway struck their vehicle from behind at a high rate of speed.
“It spun his truck sideways and that’s when it rolled 8 to 10 times and clipped a telephone pole and it ended up in a culvert,” said Donnie Coffey, an uncle to the couple.
Florida Highway Patrol investigators said the driver of the Charger drove away, leaving Christopher and Mary fighting for their lives.
“Christopher has a traumatic brain injury, it is life-threatening, we are taking things minute by minute,” said Rebecca Coffey, Christopher’s aunt.
Mary Coffey was treated for her injuries in the wreck and is now spending their honeymoon in the hospital by Christopher’s side.
“We’re really worried about her,” Rebecca Coffey said. “She escaped a lot of significant injuries but her heart is broken.”
The family is asking for prayers, financial help and justice for the newlyweds.
“Help us get the word out to find the white Dodge Charger,” said Rebecca Coffey. “It can’t help this family today but it can save another family’s life.”
Christopher’s uncle Donnie Coffey said Christopher was excited to start a new chapter of his life, and now he’s fighting for the chance to live it.
“He got married that Sunday and he was heading to a cruise ship in Florida and he was supposed to be on his honeymoon cruise when all this happened,” said Donnie Coffey. After the wedding, he said the couple decided to drive the nine-hour trip from Tennessee to Daytona Beach rather than fly.
“His father wanted him to fly down and he wanted to take his brand new Dodge Ram truck he was so proud of. He just got it about 2 months ago, and he just loved that truck,” Donnie Coffey said.
Florida State Troopers said their focus is on finding the driver of the white Charger that struck the couple.
“They never saw it coming,” said Rebecca Coffey, Christopher’s aunt.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the white Charger or its driver is asked to contact the Florida Highway Patrol at 407-737-2200 or Crime Stoppers at 800-423-TIPS. If you would like to help the Coffey family you can donate here.