A man has been taken into custody for allegedly hitting a woman on an electric bicycle and then driving for nearly eight blocks with her body on the windshield, as per authorities. Xavier Omar Rigby, aged 22, was behind the wheel of a 2021 Nissan Altima at a high rate of speed while 38-year-old Kjersten Aileen-Hermance Strang was cycling in the curb lane on her E-bike.
Rigby reportedly collided with the back of Strang’s bicycle with such force that it propelled her onto the windshield of his car. Law enforcement mentioned that he proceeded to drive for eight blocks before her body was dislodged from the vehicle and fell onto the road. The accused fled the scene without contacting emergency services. Unfortunately, Strang was pronounced dead at the scene. She was a single mother to a young son, and her family and friends described her as an “angel” and one of the most compassionate individuals in the community.
Officers from St. Petersburg, Florida apprehended Rigby shortly after at a liquor store approximately a mile away from the accident site and noted that he displayed signs of impairment. Police detected the smell of alcohol on Rigby’s breath, observed bloodshot eyes, and noted slurred speech. Following his refusal to undergo a field sobriety test, Rigby was promptly arrested.
He has been charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash, vehicular homicide involving fleeing the scene, and DUI manslaughter. Rigby had a previous criminal record that included speeding over 30 mph above the limit and a prior DUI offense.
During his court hearing, Judge Elizabeth Zuroweste remarked, “I’m determining that you pose a danger to the community, and no other measure can ensure your decision-making on the road, endangering your life and the lives of others. Therefore, you will be held without bond on charges of vehicular homicide and leaving the scene of a fatal crash.”
This incident follows the tragic deaths of two young newlyweds in a horrific collision involving a suspected drunk driver. João Pedro Prudêncio Cardoso and Maynara França Schio, aged 19 and 18 respectively, were on a Yamaha MT-03 motorcycle in the early morning hours when they collided with a black Ford Ecosport driven by Dyonatha Chaves Oliveira, 36, who was allegedly over the legal limit for alcohol consumption. The teenage couple lost their lives at the roadside. The newlyweds had tied the knot on August 28 and had shared photos of their wedding on social media with touching captions. The accident occurred on the PA-160 highway in Parauapebas, Brazil.