Fatal Hit-And-Run Wasn’t A Hit-And-Run After All: Cops

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Monday crash that claimed the life of a pedestrian has been reclassified after a review of surveillance video didn’t back up a witness account. According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, the crash that claimed the life of Richard Allan Palmer, 56, didn’t involve a fleeing motorist.

Detectives announced they were searching for an SUV and its driver shortly after the Jan. 9 crash occurred. Initial reports indicated that Palmer was struck while he was sitting in the northbound median lane of 49th Street North just before midnight. A witness told police a SUV struck the man, slowed and then sped off before the man was hit by a second vehicle.

The second vehicle was driven by Alma Moulton. Her Chevrolet did hit Palmer while he was sitting in the 3500 block of 49th Street North, police said. Moulton stopped to render aid to the man, who has no known address, and called 911, the police department reported earlier this week.

The turn of events regarding the first driver was announced Friday afternoon.

“After carefully analyzing all the evidence, including video from surveillance cameras in the area, traffic investigators were able to determine that the first SUV swerved, but never hit the pedestrian,” the email said. “In fact, the second driver who stopped to render aid, was the one who actually struck the victim.”

Police say the investigation into the crash remains active. No criminal charges for the SUV’s driver are pending, however.

“There was no hit and run after all,” the agency’s email said.

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