POMPANO BEACH, Fla. — The man accused in a deadly hit-and-run crash has since appeared before a judge.

Shalom Marcus made his first court appearance last week, charged in the death of 40-year-old Joey Henriquez.

The crash occurred in the early morning hours of Oct. 12, when Henriquez was struck and killed on North Palm Aire Drive in Pompano Beach.

He was walking across the street with his bicycle when officials said the driver of a Chevy Trailblazer slammed into him and took off.

“He had a whole life ahead of him to live and was just a minute away from home,” said Michelle Zymet, Henriquez’s sister.

“Getting that call, I almost collapsed on the floor,” said Linda Cuevas, Henriquez’s mother.

Their devastation has ignited their determination to see the accused driver be held responsible for fleeing the scene.

“Five or ten minutes later, comes back, circles around and then just takes off again,” said Cuevas.

Henriquez was rushed to the hospital with a severe brain injury, but did not survive.

Marcus was charged with fleeing the crash.

In court, prosecutors said Marcus admitted to driving the car and to drinking at three different bars in Delray Beach.

Henriquez’s family are still searching for answers.

“Why would you leave my brother there lying on the floor. Did you not know you hit someone or something,” said Zymet.

“If anything, to stand up to the plate to what you did, and you have to be accountable for your actions,” added Cuevas.

The family has created a GoFundMe page to help with expenses.

Man accused in deadly Pompano Beach hit-and-run faces judge

Linnie Supall