SJCSO says it ‘interviewed’ suspect, seized vehicle in Flagler Estates hit-and-run

FLAGLER ESTATES, Fla. – The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said it interviewed the suspect and seized the vehicle involved in the Flagler Estates hit-and-run that left a 14-year-old boy in critical condition on Friday morning.

RELATED: St. Johns County residents are saddened, but not shocked after a student was hit by a car

In a post on X, SJCSO thanked the public for sharing information and said it would provide updates later. News4JAX reached out to the sheriff’s office and was told that no one is formally in custody.

On Saturday, First Baptist Church of Hastings said in a Facebook post that Maslin Mooney, 14, suffered multiple injuries in the crash, including two broken legs, a broken wrist, dental damage, and a brain bleed that will require him to remain in the hospital for over a month while his recovery process could last between four to six months.

The church is raising money for Mooney’s family to pay for expenses related to the incident.

“The family is facing significant financial strain due to travel, treatments, and hospital stays,” the post read. “In this difficult time, we’ve set up a collection to help support them.”

Those who would like to contribute can donate here by providing basic information and selecting the category “The Mooney Family.”

On Friday morning, around 7 a.m., St. Johns County deputies said a citizen found a teenage boy who had been hit by a vehicle at the intersection of Palatka Boulevard and Carpenter Avenue.

The teen, later identified as Mooney, was airlifted to a trauma center in critical condition, according to the St. Johns County Fire and Rescue Department.

According to the St. Johns County School District, he attends Gamble Rodgers Middle School in St. Augustine.

Deputies said Mooney was walking to his bus stop —the pickup was scheduled for 6:08 a.m.— but he never made it.

News4JAX spoke with people in the Flagler Estates area who said no one should ever be treated like the student was.

One neighbor said she was sad but not shocked.

“I don’t see anybody doing the speed limit,” she said.

This incident marks the second crash this week involving a teenager being hit by a car in St. Johns County.

On Wednesday, a Fruit Cove Middle School student was riding a bicycle near Racetrack Road when she was hit and critically injured.

Harrigan said drivers need to pay attention to the road, not their phones, and not be distracted.

For students walking or riding bikes to school: wear clothes that are visible at all times, and if it’s dark bring a flashlight with you and consider walking away from the road if possible.