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Naked Man Found Dead In Florida

Erik Jenkinson, 28, who once stripped and ran naked on Interstate 78, was found dead off Key West, Fla.

 

A man who stripped naked and ran down Interstate 78 after an Upper Macungie automobile accident last year was found dead off the Florida Keys, according to a report by KeysWest.com.

The report said Erik D. Jenkinson, 28, was identified by fingerprints from his Pennsylvania arrest records. His body was found floating in the ocean off Key West on Sept. 3.

Pennsylvania State Police said Jenkinson was high when he was arrested on Nov. 26, 2011 after an I-78 accident and charged with eight offenses, including driving under the influence and open lewdness.

After the accident, Jenkinson told police, “I love you, I just want to go home,” adding “My mom is having a birthday party for me and she told me to wear by birthday suit.

In the complaint, Trooper Patrick Dawe wrote he found rolling papers in the center console of the vehicle, although no drug paraphernalia was found in his 2005 Toyota Corolla.

“Based on my training and experience, rolling papers are commonly used to ingest illegal substances,” Dawe wrote. “I believe that the suspect was under the influence of an illegal substance when this crash occurred and charges are being filed.”

Jenkinson was scheduled to appear in Lehigh County County Court on Oct. 15.

Jenkinson waived his preliminary hearing in February and the lone matter changed during that hearing was the DUI charge pertained to a controlled substance and not to alcohol.

Related Topics: Accident, Erik Jenkinson, Interstate 78, and Naked Man

No

10:17 am on Thursday, September 20, 2012

What an appalling headline. "Naked Man" is an unbelievably disrespectful way to describe someone who has recently lost his life, just because he had one unfortunate incident some time ago. Please think of his friends and relatives and remove this headline.

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ME

4:12 pm on Thursday, September 20, 2012

Erik was an amazing person who seemed to have lost his way sometime back. For this to be the only article that defines him on the web is a disgrace. He will be greatly missed...

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VJM

11:50 pm on Friday, September 21, 2012

This is unprofessional and appalling news coverage. Erik was a kind, sensitive, athletic, well educated young man who made a few missteps in his life due to illness, not drugs. He will be remembered by his family and scores of friends as an outstanding young man who was an asset to this earth.. not the nonsense you portray here. Shame on you. VJM

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A Friend

7:45 pm on Saturday, September 22, 2012

It's terrible that an article with this title could be released about this young man's death. It's sad that sensational journalistic techniques can override respect. Erik was a very good man from a very good family. I just hope that everyone who sees this article can first take a moment to acknowledge that the life of a well-meaning but sick person was lost and that a lot of people are very sad.

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Friend

9:17 pm on Monday, September 24, 2012

Let's not mislabel Tom De Martini or this article as anything remotely related to journalism. Erik had more depth and compassion than this guy could ever begin to comprehend, hence why he's copy-and-pasting blurbs to a middle-school news feed.

Joseph Zilioli

6:31 pm on Tuesday, September 25, 2012

From Joe Zilioli formally of Plainfield rd Concord, MA. I and my son were very good friends with Eric and as I write this I find it hard to hold back my tears, which I cannot. Eric would do anything you ask of him, he was one of the best football players I have ever seen and when he picked up a lacrosse stick for the 1st time you knew this kid was an athlete. I have watched Eric over the years and you began to see that maybe there was a chemical imbalance in him. I now wished I could have put 2 and 2 together. I would see him at Whites pond and sneak up behind him and give him a bear hug. I believe he was calling for help, but we were just to busy with everyday life to notice. His family was awesome and supportive and my heart goes out to all of them. I love that kid and I will always remember him with only good thoughts.

Best Wishes To The Family,
Joey Zilioli's Dad

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Bridgette VonHammersmark

8:55 pm on Sunday, October 21, 2012

This is a horrendously insensitive and absurd article. This pitiful excuse for a news outlet should feel ashamed for posting this headline. Erik was a great friend with a big heart who loved his friends and family. We lived together while attending CU Boulder, and he always made me laugh and I felt safe whenever he was around. He once saved my life, and I had always wondered where he ended up so many years later. I am saddened to hear of this tragic accident and angry to see this awful article written about such a kind and wonderful guy. People go through difficult times and illnesses strike even the strongest of of the strong. Shame on you for posting this atrocious headline.

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J.Dossantos

3:18 pm on Monday, February 18, 2013

Erik was an amazing soul. My heart goes out to his family and he will be missed greatly.

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