UPDATE (May 22, 2023): Jacob Demery pleaded guilty to leaving the scene of an accident. He was sentenced to 8 years, with 4 years suspended. Under the terms of his plea agreement, he’ll spend 2 years in the Indiana Department of Correction and 2 years with Marion County Community Corrections.

UPDATE: 22-year-old Jacob Demery was arrested for leaving the scene of an accident.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department is looking for the driver involved in a deadly hit-and-run late Sunday night on the city’s west side.

Police said at around 11:36 p.m., a man was hit and killed by a vehicle at the intersection of Washington Street and Biltmore Avenue.

The victim has been identified as 46-year-old Andrew Whitaker. His girlfriend of 11 years said he celebrated his birthday five days before the accident.

“He had the biggest heart you could have,” she wrote to CBS4. “He would give his last to help someone. Always stopping to help someone in need.”

She said he is a father of two and also helped raise her two children. She’s asking anyone with information to come forward. “Think if this was your family member you wouldn’t want this for them and their loved ones,” wrote Whitaker’s girlfriend.

“It’s around the holidays. No one should have to go through this,” said IMPD Public Information Officer William Young.

“Whatever it is, it cannot be that bad to where you strike someone with your vehicle and continue to go without even rendering aid or checking on that particular person.”

“We’re asking the community’s help in providing any assistance that they can,” said Young.

Monday afternoon, IMPD provided the following images taken from surveillance footage of a person of interest:

The suspect is believed to have been driving a black 2011-2014 Dodge Charger. The car may have heavy front end damage.

“We’re gonna catch you. We’re gonna hold you accountable. Our officers work day in and day out, in particular our hit-and-run investigators,” said Young.

“They’re gonna make sure that we try and bring justice to this family.”

Young wants to remind people that if you are involved in a motor vehicle accident of any kind, you need to stay at the scene.

“It’s very important whenever you’re involved in an accident, no matter how minor it is, that you must stay on scene. That’s a state statute, so it’s very important that you do so,” he said.

“You’re not in that much trouble, and then when you pull off from an accident, you’re in somewhat kind of double trouble. Nothing’s that important to where you should leave the scene of an accident,” said Young.

Anyone with information should either call the IMPD Accident Investigation Office at (317) 327-6549 or Crime Stoppers at (317) 262-TIPS.

“It’s gotta be on the mind of that person, you know, that you struck someone. We’re asking that you turn yourself in. We all have to be accountable for the actions that we do,” Young said.

Early Monday morning, police provided a stock photo of a Dodge Charger that fits the description of the suspected vehicle.