Mother of hit and run victim wants info

DESTIN, Fla. (WALA) - Friday, August 10 marks the 10-year anniversary of a deadly, unsolved hit and run in Destin. 

Officials said one decade ago, someone hit and killed 15-year-old Shelly Meadors as she and friends stood on a sidewalk along Highway 98 in Destin.

 Since 2002, Belinda Meadors has made an annual trip to Destin. But unlike many, hers has nothing to do with shopping or the beach.  It's rather a reminder of her darkest day.

She adds to the monument where her daughter's life was taken far too soon.

"We just make it look beautiful every year," Meadors said

She also makes her presence felt at the scene, as the killer remains free.

"Ten years, and it still feels like I got the call last night," Meadors said.  "I used to say the word closure, but there will never be closure. I never get Shelley back. It's going to be justice."

A warm embrace with her daughter is only a reminder of the tragedy. Meadors searches for the one responsible for the death of her 15-year-old, Shelley.

"I had to be strong for my other children; and that was the hardest part for me because if I wasn't strong, there was no way they could be strong. And that was especially hard," Meadors said.

Shelley's big sister Kristi Helms searches for answers.

"Please imagine if that were your family member," Helms said.  "She's not a "hit and run victim." She's my sister. She's my life, and she's gone."

Now, the family wants the public's help to get a conviction.  They're prepared to offer a $10,000 reward for any information that leads to an arrest.

"She was beautiful. If you walked into a room of 50 people, you would see her first," Meadors said, "She was very good and kind to everybody. She wanted to do for everyone.  She's with me; she'll always be with me. She's my daughter, and I loved her the day she was born, and I love her just as much today."

Due to its recent success with cold cases, the sheriff's office has transferred the case to its Criminal Investigations Division to try to get some more leads.

If you know anything about the crime, contact the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Office.