A woman in Gulfport, Florida, was killed after being struck by a car while riding her e-bike in a designated lane late Saturday night, according to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office. The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on September 20, when a Nissan Altima driven by Xavier Omar Rigby hit Kjersten Aileen-Hermance Strang, 38, at high speed.
Authorities stated that the impact threw Strang onto the windshield of Rigby’s vehicle. “He continued driving for approximately eight blocks before Strang was dislodged from the vehicle,” said the sheriff’s office. Rigby did not stop or call for help and left the scene without seeking assistance for Strang. She was pronounced dead at the location.
Rigby, 22, was located shortly after at a liquor store in St. Petersburg. Officials reported that he “showed signs of impairment and refused to cooperate with field sobriety tests.” He was subsequently arrested on charges including leaving the scene of a crash involving death, vehicular homicide leaving the scene, and DUI manslaughter.
According to WTVT, Rigby has previous offenses related to DUI and speeding and had been required to attend a Mothers Against Drunk Driving victim impact panel. During his court appearance on September 22, a judge denied bond and described him as “a danger to the community.”
Strang is survived by her young son, as noted on a GoFundMe page created for her family.
Gulfport is located about 25 miles southwest of downtown Tampa.
