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Driver convicted of murder for intentionally hitting man sitting on Daytona Beach sidewalk in 2021 – WFTV

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A Texan man is going to prison in Florida for hitting and killing another man with his car in 2021. It was later determined that the act was intentional.

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After a three-day trial, a Volusia County jury found Anthony Adum, now 42, guilty on Thursday afternoon of the charges: second-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol and negligent homicide.

According to court documents, Adum was under the influence of drugs and alcohol when he drove recklessly through Daytona Beach on March 21, 2021.

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Shortly after 9 p.m. that day, Daytona Beach police officers were called to the intersection of West International Speedway Boulevard and Nova Road for a report of an accident involving a pedestrian.

When police arrived, they found 45-year-old Christopher Watson suffering from serious injuries sustained in the accident.

Watson was taken to Halifax Hospital and died of his injuries the next day.

After interviewing a passenger who was in the car with Adum at the time and reviewing surveillance video from the intersection, investigators determined that Adum intentionally ran over Watson.

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The video shows Adum's silver Hyundai recklessly driving into the intersection with the driver's door already open.

Adum is then seen driving directly toward Watson, who is sitting on the sidewalk, before jumping out of the moving car just before impact.

Investigators added that Adum appeared to have driven in a circle through the intersection before hitting Watson, but was forced to make a second circle because another car forced him to slow down the first time.

Adum attempted to flee the scene, but was quickly stopped by an unmarked police vehicle.

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Assistant District Attorney Mark Interlicchio successfully prosecuted the case against Adum for the state.

Adum will be sentenced by a judge on a date to be determined.

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