FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. (WSVN) - The driver arrested in connection with the hit-and-run death of a 70-year-old pedestrian made his first appearance in bond court.
On Thursday, officials announced that they’d taken 25-year-old Travaris Lamain McCoy into custody in connection with the death of Johnnie Lee Davis.
McCoy appeared in bond court on Friday morning. He faces charges of driving with a suspended license, leaving the scene of a crash involving death and tampering with evidence.
According to investigators, Davis, a beloved father and grandfather, was found dead near the 400 block of West Sunrise Boulevard on Monday. The suspected motorist took off without stopping to help the victim.
Surveillance video from a nearby store captured the sound of the impact. Detectives say McCoy was behind the wheel of 2018 Dodge 1500 pickup.
Davis’ daughter, Jazzlynn Simmons, told 7News that she found out someone had been arrested for her father’s death on Thursday evening.
“My heart is very happy. I’m very happy, because I feel like he needs to be penalized,” Simmons said.
The grieving daughter expressed gratitude to the Fort Lauderdale Police Department for resolving the matter quickly and bringing some comfort to her family as they mourn her father.
Simmons spoke with 7News the day after her father’s tragic death, relaying what a witness had told her.
“He said he heard my father scream when he was struck. ‘Ow!’ and ‘Boom!’ and that was it,” she said.
Mustofa Khan, who owns the convenience store Davis was supposedly walking to at the time of the crash, said he believed the victim was on his way to pick up a drink as he did every night.
“It’s very sad, very sad. Hard to see that, then I couldn’t stand there a long time, so I came back and I called 911,” Khan said.
Court records show that McCoy has a long history of traffic infractions, including driving with a suspended license. He was also convicted of grand theft in 2019, according to prosecutors.
“He was convicted of grand theft, where he failed to appear in court. He was convicted of aggravated fleeing and eluding and driving while license suspended. He was convicted again of driving with license suspended. He was convicted of grand theft auto…” said the prosecutor.
Additionally, his license had been revoked six months ago.
“I just think he’s a criminal overall and never been to jail. So this guy is, he needs to be in there because that’s ridiculous.
For Davis’ family, McCoy’s arrest helps bring some closure.
“Just a little, because I still wish my father was here with me, you know, but God is good. ” Simmons said. “I mean, God made a way for [McCoy] to be arrested within two to three days, so that’s awesome.”
The judge gave McCoy a $76,000 bond. The suspect will need a GPS monitor if he is able to make that bond.
Davis’ family said they’re just thankful that this phase of what they’re going through is over.
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