INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Charlotte McClain-Wallace replayed in her mind the last moments she had with her husband Anthony “Tony” Wallace. The intrusive thoughts replaced what should have been an anticipation of a blissful wedding anniversary later this month for the couple of nearly 30 years.
Charlotte McClain-Wallace and Anthony Wallace PHOTO PROVIDED BY WALLACE FAMILY
“He was planning on surprising me for our anniversary (on Sunday, March 16). That’s what he told me,” said McClain-Wallace, 55, of Vero Beach, her voice wavering with emotion. “He was happy, a jokester, he loved to make people laugh and had a good heart. He talked to everybody.”
But, instead of preparing for a relaxing getaway with the love of her life, McClain-Wallace is making funeral arrangements for the man she described as an avid painter, lover of jazz music and a jack of all trades. Wallace, 57, of Vero Beach, was riding on an electric bicycle on March 7 in the 1100 block of Eighth Street when he was fatally struck from behind by a vehicle. The driver fled the scene.
Now, the family is asking anyone with information on the death of Wallace, a father of one, to contact authorities.
“Whoever hit my husband should come forward,” McClain-Wallace said. “This is like a bad dream. I feel terrible. I can’t sleep…can’t eat.”
No arrests have been made yet in the deadly hit-and-run collision. Florida Highway Patrol troopers are the lead agency investigating the crash.
McClain-Wallace, who recently suffered a stroke, said Wallace was her main caretaker. Family members are planning to have a funeral for Wallace on March 22 at St. Peter’s Missionary Baptist Church in Gifford.
The incident marks a double loss for the Wallace family. Wallace’s son, Anthony Wallace Jr., was also killed in a hit-and-run crash on Jan. 31, 1998 in Savannah Georgia, according to relatives.
Wallace Jr., headed to church, was walking on the side of the road when he was struck. Family members said no arrests have been made in that case either.
Left in a ditch
An unfinished painting depicting The Last Supper, along with other paintings of Jesus Christ and lush Florida landscapes, sit inside the Wallace household. Wallace not only had a love for painting, but also for playing guitars and remodeling homes, family members said.
The ditch where Anthony Wallace was found. PHOTO BY NICK SAMUEL
“He would paint three or four times a week,” said McClain-Wallace’s sister, Sheila Allen.
Tragedy would strike on March 7 less than half-a-mile down the road from Wallace’s residence.
It was supposed to be a quick trip and back from a Wawa convenience store on 12th Street and U.S. 1. Wallace and McClain-Wallace had planned to play a game of dominoes when he made it back to his residence.
“I told him to bring me some wine,” McClain-Wallace said.
McClain-Wallace said she began to worry after time passed and her husband still had not returned from the short trip. Wallace was traveling back home just before 10 p.m. along the darkened roadway on Eighth Street, which had a section without sidewalks or streetlights.
Anthony Wallace with his electric bike. PHOTO PROVIDED BY WALLACE FAMILY
Wallace had purchased the e-bike, with a trailer on the back, the day before the crash, according to family members. McClain-Wallace said her husband was “so happy” after buying the e-bike.
Allen said Wallace had showed her his e-bike after he bought it. Allen said she took a picture of him with the bike.
“I didn’t know that would be my last day of seeing him,” said Allen, 62, of Vero Beach.
The wreck happened just west of 11th Avenue and south of the Vero Beach city limits, not far from Wallace’s residence. The unknown vehicle and Wallace were both headed eastbound along Eighth Street.
Troopers said Wallace was ahead of the vehicle. For an unknown reason, the vehicle struck Wallace, causing him to veer off the road and fall into a ditch.
The driver of the vehicle fled from the scene in an unknown direction.
Wallace’s lifeless body was found in the ditch by another bicyclist, according to Indian River County sheriff’s officials. The bicyclist, who didn’t have a phone, rode to the nearest open store and called 911, said Lt. Kevin Jaworski, a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
Wallace was taken by ambulance to the HCA Florida Vero Beach Emergency Room, where doctors pronounced him dead, sheriff’s officials said. Jaworski said the sheriff’s Real Time Crime Center was assisting Florida Highway Patrol in searching for any nearby surveillance footage.
Seeking closure
McClain-Wallace has memories of laughter and joy, along with trips to the beach and to the
Anthony Wallace with Charlotte McClain-Wallace. PHOTO PROVIDED BY WALLACE FAMILY
movie theatre, to remember Wallace. McClain-Wallace’s faith in God was not wavered by the tragic loss of her husband.
With a calm demeanor, McClain-Wallace said she will continue to fight for justice for Wallace.
“God is good all the time,” McClain-Wallace said.
Those with information about the fatal hit-and-run crash should contact Treasure Coast Crime Stoppers at 1-800-273-TIPS or tcwatch.org.
Photos by Nick Samuel
