A $10,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information leading to an arrest in a deadly hit-and-run crash in St. Petersburg last week.
At 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday, January 3, St. Pete Police said a Cadillac SRX SUV hit and killed 70-year-old Karen Moorefield as she was crossing 22nd Avenue North near 41st Street, and then it took off.
“I heard the brakes squeal, two people stopped immediately after it happened, and then I heard sirens coming," said Kevin Arputharaj, who lives near where the crash happened.
Arputharaj said he saw paramedics doing everything they could.
“Accidents happen, but you should’ve stopped for sure," said Arputharaj.
St. Pete Police said Moorefield had dementia and was reported missing around 6 p.m. that day.
“The vehicle was located, we’re pretty confident we located the vehicle," said Lt. Jason Levey with St. Pete Police. "It’s a 2013 red Cadillac SRX, which fits the description.”
Lt. Levey explained police found the Cadillac involved in the deadly hit-and-run about eight to 10 blocks from where the accident happened. Levey said there's no indication that suggests the car involved was stolen.
“That is only the beginning of the investigation, though. This is where it starts. We still need the public’s input to find out if they saw something that they didn’t realize now that we’re confident we have the vehicle," said Lt. Levey. "Any video surveillance, any camera footage, anybody that can put the driver behind the wheel.”
An anonymous donor is providing the reward money, St. Pete police officials said.
“When somebody gets into an accident, not only do they have an obligation under law to stop and render aid, just as a human being to stop and render aid," said Levey.
Anyone who saw the maroon/red Cadillac SRX the night of the crash or has any information is asked to call St. Pete Police at 727-893-7780.
