A hit-and-run that left a San Diego man fatally injured in the driveway of his own home remains unsolved and two months later, despite their pain, the victim’s family has vowed to pay it forward.
On April 24, Jack Jackson, 52, was found unconscious, lying in the driveway of his home in the 8000 block of Beaver Lake Drive in San Carlos. His family believes Jackson had gone out for a late-night walk, was hit by a car and tried to crawl home on his hands and knees.
A passerby spotted him in the driveway early that morning and called police. Jackson was taken to the hospital where he later died from brain trauma.
To date, the suspected hit-and-run remains unsolved and there have been no arrests made in the case. Investigators aren’t sure of the location where Jackson was hit. He suffered a broken pelvis and scrapes on his elbows and knees, which indicated he likely tried to crawl home after being fatally injured, police said.
On Saturday Jackson’s family held a benefit bike show at the El Cajon Harley Davidson location in honor of their loved one, who was an avid biker and motorcycle enthusiast.
The outdoor benefit included the sale of Jackson-inspired T-shirts and hats, raffle drawings, a BBQ and bikini bike car wash. The family hoped to donate all proceeds from the event to the California Victim Compensation Program to help other victims of violent crimes and their families.
“We’re trying to make something negative into a positive. We’re just trying to do something that can help others and do something positive in the community,” said Jarred Jackson, son of the hit-and-run victim.
Jarred said his family wanted to also raise awareness of hit-and-runs, especially since there have been so many in San Diego County.
Celeste Jackson, the victim’s wife, said the family is choosing to pay it forward because the community supported their family immensely after her husband died.
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“If we didn’t receive the help from our community for the memorial costs, then we wouldn’t have had a way to send him off in a very loving way,” she told NBC 7. “We want to be able to be there for other families that have and unexpected death and help them.”
Family friend Dan Litwin attended the benefit and said the Jackson family’s desire to help others in the face of such a tragedy is inspiring.
“It’s courageous to be standing up and doing something for other people when the pain is so personal,” Litwin told NBC 7. “It’s nice to see people become inspired instead of depressed.”
Jarred described his father as a “big, hairy biker” with tattoos who rode a Harley and who loved old, British bikes. He said his dad would’ve enjoyed Saturday’s event.
Despite the pain of losing his father so suddenly, Jarred said helping others will help his family continue to heal.
“It’s either that or just sit around and mope and be sorry for ourselves. At least we can turn a horrible event into something that can help others,” he added.
Celeste said her husband will forever be remembered as a caring family man.
“He was just a really easy-going guy. He loved to cook so most of the people that knew him were blessed with his cooking. He loved to ride. He loved, most of all, his sons and his family,” she said, holding back tears.
After more than two months with little information on her husband’s case, Celeste said the hardest part for the family is still not knowing what happened that day Jackson was found in their driveway.
“Not knowing who – or how he died, how he made it to our front driveway. Not knowing if it was a hit-and-run. We don’t know what happened,” she added.
The investigation into Jackson’s death has proved challenging for police due to a lack of witnesses. Neighbors also said they did not hear a crash or brakes squealing.
Jackson’s family said he regularly took early morning walks around his neighborhood and knew the area well.
