A hit-and-run last night in Gulfport left a woman dead, and police are investigating the circumstances. The Gulfport Police Department reported that the victim was biking near Tangerine Avenue and 49th Street South when she was struck by a passing car around 10 p.m., according to WFLA. She died at the scene.
The suspect vehicle fled after the crash and was described as a white Hyundai Elantra with front bumper damage and a shattered windshield. FOX 13 News reported that authorities began searching for the driver. The crash led to traffic being rerouted for several hours Saturday night. The crime scene extended up to a mile from 9th Avenue S to 18th Avenue S along 49th Street while police searched for evidence.
Witnesses told police the woman was struck near 9th Avenue S and 49th Street and remained on the vehicle as it continued south for more than half a mile before falling off near Tangerine Avenue S/18th Avenue S. Gulfport Police and Fire Department Station 17 crews responded to the scene at 10:08 p.m., and the woman was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
As per IONTB.com, investigators later discovered a white Nissan Altima with significant damage near a liquor store at 22nd Avenue S and 49th Street. According to arrest records, 22-year-old Xavier Omar Rigby was taken into custody around 4 a.m. today. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death, vehicular homicide, leaving the scene, and DUI manslaughter.
Police have not released the victim’s identity. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Gulfport Police Department at (727) 582-6177.
