Pascagoula man charged in pedestrian death on Highway 63 bridge

A North Carolina man died this morning after being hit while walking along Highway 63.

Moss Point Police Chief Brandon Ashley said officers were sent to the Highway 63 Bridge about 7 a.m. for a report of a pedestrian being hit.

The vehicle involved left the scene before officers arrived, Ashley said. The victim, 52-year-old Francisco Vellegas of Franklin, North Carolina, was part of a construction crew working on the bridge. He died at the scene from his injuries.

About 8:28 a.m., Moss Point Police were contacted and the driver, identified as 21-year-old Octavius Weber of Pascagoula, told dispatchers he wanted to turn himself in. Weber was arrested without incident and charged with leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death. He was taken to the Jackson County jail.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call Detective Rebecca Rasanen or Moss Point Police at 228-475-1711. You may also contact Crime Stoppers at 800-787-5898 or visit the Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers website at mscoastcrimestoppers.com.