CLEARWATER FLORIDA, A 51-year-old woman has been charged after police say she struck and killed a pedestrian in a marked crosswalk and later left the scene.
According to the Clearwater Police Department, Dawn Dunkle was driving westbound in the 1400 block of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard on February 4 when she hit 60-year-old Elbert Gilbert, who was in a marked crosswalk.
Police allege that after the collision, Dunkle did not call 911 or remain at the scene to provide assistance. Investigators said she left the area and abandoned her 2024 red Ford Mustang nearby. The vehicle was located several days later and subsequently linked to Dunkle, who was taken into custody and charged.
In a press release, police stated that Dunkle allegedly told others she believed she had struck a box or a speed bump. Authorities said vehicle parts left at the scene helped connect the car to the incident.
Gilbert’s family described him as a kind and caring father. A GoFundMe campaign created by his son and tributes from local community organizations expressed grief over his death.
Dunkle was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on charges of leaving the scene of a crash involving death. Court records also show she faces a charge of possession of a controlled substance after officers allegedly found alprazolam in her possession. She is being held on a $150,000 bond.
The case remains under investigation.
