Joshua Alexander Figueroa, 31, was charged with failing to stop for a crash involving a death, according to the Gainesville Police Department.
“We have long felt that he should be arrested and appreciate the fine work of the Gainesville Police Department,” said Stuart Gross, attorney representing Paxton’s family in a civil suit. “It’s a great day for the family.”
Paxton, called Maggie by friends, was killed in a hit-and-run crash Dec. 9 at West University Avenue and Lemerand Drive.
The civil suit alleges Figueroa hit Paxton in the crosswalk when he was driving a BMW at high speed.
Figueroa was charged by GPD based on witness interviews, a search of license-plate reader databases and a search of Figueroa’s cellphone, the release states.
A lawyer who filed suit on behalf of Maggie Paxton, the University of Florida student killed in a December 2020 hit-and-run, said Wednesday he will try to do what police have not yet done pin the crime on the owner of the car that hit her, who he believes was the driver.
Attorney Stuart Grossman said the lawsuit will enable him to subpoena Miguel Figueroa, whose car is in a repair lot and who has not been charged by the Gainesville Police Department.
“It gives us an opportunity to bring our horsepower up, and we are not amateurs,” Grossman said. “We are going to do some things for and besides the police. I want to know why that car is parked in that lot and no one has been arrested.”
Suits filed against drivers, Uber in fatal University Avenue crashes gainesville.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gainesville.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Chelmsford Police Log, Jan. 31-Feb. 6
Community Content
The following are excerpts from the Chelmsford police log for Sunday, Jan. 31, to Saturday, Feb. 6. The log is public record and available for review. All persons are presumed innocent unless found guilty in a court of law.
Sunday, Jan. 31
1:02 a.m.: An ambulance was requested on Brick Kiln Road.
7:02 a.m.: A motor vehicle traffic violation was reported at Chelmsford Street and Route 495.
7:28 a.m.: A motor vehicle accident with injuries was reported on Drum Hill Road.
9:50 a.m.: A motor vehicle hit-and-run was reported on Vinal Square.
10:46 a.m.: A motor vehicle traffic violation was reported on Tyngsboro Road.
Home/Getting around/Traffic Changes Planned To Make University Avenue Safer For Pedestrians
Traffic Changes Planned To Make University Avenue Safer For Pedestrians
By Lyric Lighty
February 23, 2021
Major changes are coming to the most dangerous roads for bikers and pedestrians in Alachua County.
After multiple pedestrian deaths in recent weeks along West University Avenue, the regional transportation planning group at a Monday meeting proposed installing additional traffic signals, well-lit crosswalks and temporary speed tables to slow down cars.
“It is the highest priority… that we make this an area that is safest for everybody,” said Gainesville City Commissioner David Arreola, who chairs the Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization. “I understand that it is one of the busiest traffic lanes in the whole of Alachua County, but this has been a problem for too many years.”