"Turn yourself in, please:" Family of hit-and-run victim begs for a suspect to come forward



MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- 'Just turn yourself in.' Those words from the family of a hit-and-run victim. 57-year-old Henry Lee Nelson was fatally struck while crossing the street Saturday night, April 18th. Nelson's sister and niece are now putting out a plea for help on Friday, April 24th.

The sight of her uncle's pictures is too much to bear. His memory is all that's left.

57-year-old Henry Lee Nelson was struck and killed at 27th and Burleigh last Saturday night around 10 p.m.

FOX6 News spoke to an eyewitness of the crash.

"The car came swerving. The car hit him. When the car hit him, he flew. The man ran him over and kept going," said one witness.

Investigators say Nelson was approximately 50 feet east of the crosswalk when he was struck by a westbound vehicle on Burleigh. Nelson died at this corner. The driver who hit Nelson drove away from the scene.

For his niece Francetta and her mother, the pain is fresh. They received the tragic news on Sunday, but there is much more they do not know.

"I want justice, our family wants justice. Please, help our family, please, turn yourself in. Don't do people like that. What if this was your family, you will want someone to turn themselves in," said Francetta.

Shortly after Nelson's death, friends and family erected a memorial. Francetta says it shows how many lives her uncle touched.

"He was funny, he was a character. Oh my god, my uncle was very good and loving, very giving, very giving. Just makes you smile every time you see him," said Francetta.

The family says the hardest part is not knowing who killed their loved one.

"Turn yourself in, please. Help our family," said Francetta.

Right now, there is very little information on the type of vehicle or occupants involved in this incident.

If you have any information you are asked to call Milwaukee police at 414-933-4444.

There is a vigil set for Saturday, April 25th, at the corner of 27th and Burleigh at 3 p.m.

Funeral services for Henry Lee Nelson are as follows:

Paradise Memorial Funeral Home
7625 West Appleton Ave.
Milwaukee, WI
Visitation - Wednesday, April 29th from 12 p.m.-1 p.m.
Funeral - Wednesday, April 29th at 1 p.m.