Pahoca man charged with death of woman hit and killed on sidewalk

PAHOKE, Florida – A 33-year-old man from Pahokey is in the Palm Beach County Jail without bail after a woman walking on a sidewalk died when she was hit by his truck, the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office said.

A day after his arrest, James Preston Cole was denied bail by District Judge Frank S. Castor on Saturday and faces felony charges of leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death and malpractice manslaughter. The meeting is scheduled for 8:30 am on March 27.

Cole is accused of killing 37-year-old Precious Barber of Pahoca.

During the hearing, Cole was found guilty of running away, including being found packing a bag. The judge noted that Cole previously had 11 felony convictions and 10 misdemeanor convictions, including burglary, and was released from prison in 2022.

Barber’s stepfather, Lyndon Clemon, was in the courtroom.

“It’s a decision we’re very happy with at the moment,” he told WPTV’s Briana Nespral of the lack of connectivity. “However, this will not bring back our loved one. At least he won’t harm someone else’s child or someone else’s family member.”

“You never expect a mother to receive this phone call about your child, so it’s just really unfortunate. When the details become known, we will have a clearer picture, but the end result is that a loved one is gone, and this is completely unnecessary and not justified. under no circumstances.”

Around 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, a 2000 Dodge RAM Cole was driving was driving east on Bacom Point Road, approaching the Rardin Avenue intersection.

For unknown reasons, according to the PBSO, the vehicle veered off the road and onto the pavement, crashing into Barber from behind.

When the vehicle entered the intersection, the pedestrian was projected onto the ground.

According to the PBSO, Cole stopped by the road, got out of the truck, and was notified by a witness that he hit a pedestrian.

Cole returned to the car and fled the scene, according to the PBSO.

According to the PBSO, he was discovered and initially cooperated.

Palm Beach County Rescue Services pronounced Barber dead at the scene.