TAMPA, Fla. — Police are asking for the public's help to identify the vehicle and driver involved in a fatal hit-and-run accident on Sunday night.
Officers say a white vehicle, possibly an SUV, hit and killed a female pedestrian around 9:15 p.m. near the intersection of North Nebraska Avenue and East Linebaugh Avenue.
The vehicle was last seen traveling north on Nebraska Avenue.
Police say that they do not believe that racing or speed was a factor in the crash.
People who work in the neighborhood said it’s difficult to understand why things like this happen.
“It’s terrible,” said Merritt Klein whose family owns Payless Furniture.
The business has been on Nebraska for four decades. The woman was struck right in front of their furniture store.
Roads here are dangerous no doubt.
National and state data back that up.
Florida is the second highest in the country when it comes to pedestrian fatalities.
And it’s getting bleaker by the year.
For the first time in more than three decades, pedestrians account for the most traffic fatalities.
“I think we do hear a lot about pedestrians being hit by a vehicle,” said Eddy Durkin, a spokesperson with the Tampa Police department.
In Tampa, this marks the third open pedestrian fatality case.
10 people have been struck this year.
Durkin said while the detectives are good at gathering evidence, many times it’s just not enough.
“Her family deserves closure. So anybody that has seen anything out there please call the Tampa Police Department.
The pedestrian was identified as Sally Ann McClellan Webb, who was trying to cross the street.
Witnesses are asked to contact the 24-hour police line at (813) 231-6130.
