Search for a hit-and-run killer

Two years ago today, Stanley Watkins was hit by a car while walking along Bay Ridge Avenue in Annapolis. The driver didn't stop, and Mr. Watkins died two days later as a result of injuries from the crash.

Police never found the driver of the vehicle that hit him, and Mr. Watkins' family is marking the anniversary of his death by urging anyone to provide information.

"We're trying to find out who did it," said Mary Herndon, Mr. Watkins' cousin.

Since the crash two years ago, the family has posted fliers about the crash, she said.

Accidents happen, and they're not looking for vengeance, she said, but they do want closure.

It was 8:35 p.m. Oct. 12, 2006, when a passerby called police about a car hitting a pedestrian. Officers went to Bay Ridge and Edgewood roads where they found Mr. Watkins, who had just been hit, police said.

Witnesses told police that the car hit him, then made a left into the 7-Eleven parking lot and continued down Bay Ridge.

Mr. Watkins was taken to Anne Arundel Medical Center and later to the Baltimore hospital.

Police said at the time that the accident didn't initially appear serious, but Mr. Watkins took a turn for the worse when he got to the hospital.

While at the hospital, Mr. Watkins told his family the vehicle that hit him was a burgundy pick-up truck. It hit him, and he landed on the hood. Family members recall him saying that the car backed up, knocked him off the truck and drove over him before driving off.

Officer Hal Dalton, a city Police Department spokesman, said police have not made any new progress in the case. Unfortunately, he said, from the beginning there were scant details about what happened. Two witnesses initially came forward, but "they gave completely conflicting reports" about the type of vehicle that hit Mr. Watkins, he said.

Officers canvassed the area a few times looking for witnesses near the time when it happened, but still could not come up with a good description.

"That's the key right there," he said.

Officer Dalton said the family's work to get more publicity for the case may help bring a witness forward.

"It can't hurt," he said.

Mr. Watkins grew up in the Galesville area with three brothers and four sisters. He attended Bowie State University and was later certified as a patient-care technician. He held several jobs in the health field, working with the mentally disabled.

At the time of his death, he worked with a company that was developing textbooks for students. He was single and didn't have any children.

Ms. Herndon remembered Mr. Watkins as a giving, kind man who was "always willing to go that extra mile to help anyone."

"To know him was to love him. I don't think there was anybody that did not love him," she said.

Tina Pindell, Mr. Watkins' sister, said the family was still dealing with his death.

"I was really shocked (at the time). I can't believe somebody hit him and left him there to die."

In memory of Mr. Watkins, his family members will all attend the 11 a.m. worship service at Ebenezer AME Church in Galesville. They'll wear pink and black, Mr. Watkins' favorite colors, in his honor.

Ms. Pindell urged anyone with information to come forward, but not so they could press charges or sue the person responsible.

"I just want to know what happened ... " she said. "I would just like to heal."

Anyone with information about the hit-and-run accident that killed Stanley Watkins may call Cpl. Duane Daniels at the Annapolis Police Department at 410-268-9000. Callers may remain anonymous.