Police believe the early 2000 model Chevy Suburban pulled out in front of a motorcyclist, killing Jonathan Macklin. They say the vehicle continued driving without stopping. Investigators believe the vehicle is a former government or corporate vehicle.
A vigil was held Thursday evening where Macklin was hit in the 8000 block of Pendleton Pike.
The family and friends of Jonathan Macklin are offering a reward for turning in the person responsible for the crash that led to the 25-year-old's death. The reward fund currently stands at $1,500 and may grow.
Surveillance video shows the moment before impact - the moment 25-year-old Jonathan Macklin's life ended.
"He touched everybody," said his twin sister Jamika Macklin. "He was an encouragement. He was a motivator. He motivated people. He used his own self to motivate people. He was just an amazing person."
Macklin moved to Indianapolis from Atlanta less than a year ago for a job. But in that short period, he impacted countless individuals.
"A really, really good person," said Tyrelle Collins, who worked with Macklin as volunteer mentor for troubled kids. He said the 25-year-old had a special gift for connecting with children.
"They're really gonna feel his loss," explained Collins. "He really came in and he was able to relate to them, he was funny, he was positive, always positive. I mean, I need that spirit every day with him coming in and being positive with the kids."
The accident happened on Sunday night around 10:45pm on Pendleton Pike, just east of Franklin Road. The investigation into exactly what happened and why continues. A white SUV pulled into Macklin's path as he drove his motorcycle. Macklin was wearing a helmet, but he succumbed to serious injuries.
"We didn't see any brake lights come on at all (in the surveillance video). Looks like they pulled out, the impact occurred and they just kept going in their turn," said Lawrence Police Captain Gary Woodruff, who said it's almost certain the driver knew there had just been a collision.
"There was a fairly significant impact. Exactly what kind of damage, we're not certain about that but you can certainly see the tail light dangling as it's going west bound on Pendleton Pike."
And from a grieving family a simple request from the driver: turn yourself in.
"I'm trying to be strong sitting here looking at this camera," said Macklin's mother Julianna Sliger, who spoke to WTHR via Skype. "I am a hurting, hurting mother. Hurting mother! Help me please!!!"
With her daughter by her side, Sliger added, "You did not kill Jonathan. I believe that Jonathan's assignment was completed on Earth and God called him home. His assignment was finished and you played a part in that and I would like for you to acknowledge that you hit my son and you kept driving and you left him there to die."
Macklin's family is accepting donations in his honor for the Center of Hope Thomasville Boys and Girls Club in Atlanta, Ga. , where he volunteered for several years while going to Clark Atlanta University.
Donations can be made here.
Call Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS if you have any information about the car or driver in this case.
