Tarpon Springs Police Department is searching for the driver responsible for a deadly hit-and-run early Friday morning.
At about 5 a.m. Friday, officers with the Tarpon Springs Police Department were dispatched to the area of US Alternate 19 (Pinellas Ave) and Wood Dove Ave after a report of a bicyclist hit by a vehicle.
A witness to the crash reportedly followed the vehicle after it hit the bicyclist.
Police say the driver of a light-colored, newer model four-door Hyundai sedan struck a 59-year-old woman on a bicycle.
Terry Bruillard was hit and killed riding her bike this morning in Tarpon Springs. Police are searching for the driver who took off. Her son, Paul, spoke to me today: “She showed us how to be happy and how to live. How to embrace things.” @abcactionnews pic.twitter.com/Izkrfx6Rap
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) November 27, 2020
The driver continued driving southbound without stopping.
The bicyclist was identified as Terry Bruillard, 59. She was pronounced dead on the scene by Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue.
"We’re all hurt by our loss," said Paul Bruillard, Terry's son. "I imagine that person is probably tormented by what they did and there’s something to be said for closure on both sides."
Police say the vehicle should have damage to the right front headlight area (passenger side), and the passenger side mirror was also broken off of the vehicle during the collision.
Traffic Homicide investigators are currently searching for the vehicle and driver of the vehicle to complete the investigation.
"To have a life just ended and to not know why or how it happened I think is difficult for everybody," said Bruillard. "Even for the person that did it, I imagine they’ll be living with the fear of getting caught for quite a while and that’s no way to live either."
Anyone with information on the car or its driver is asked to contact Tarpon Springs Police Department Traffic Homicide Investigators Steve Gassen or John Gibson at 727-938-2849.
