***Update as of 7:45 a.m. on October 8, 2016***

Deputies have released surveillance video in an attempt to identify a possible witness to the fatal vehicle vs. pedestrian crash that occurred in Kenneth City at about 9:08 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Deputies say that the surveillance video shows an unidentified witness stop his vehicle near the scene of the crash immediately after 36-year-old Randal Ripple was struck by a vehicle on 54^th Ave N in Kenneth City.

In the video, a vehicle described as a white four-door hatchback is seen pulling into a business parking lot on the south side of 54^th Avenue N., just east of 58^th Street N. The driver, described as a white male, 50-60 years of age, medium build, approximately 5’5”; wearing a dark baseball hat and dark pants; is seen exiting the vehicle and walking around the crash site. The witness is later seen driving away from the scene before deputies arrive.

Deputies are requesting that anyone with information about the crash or the witness shown in the video to contact Corporal Blair of the Major Accident Investigation Team at (727) 582-6200.   

Video of the witness’s vehicle can be seen here: https://youtu.be/Xwj0UZ0HUo8

***End of Update***

***Original News Release***

16-215 M.A.I.T. Investigates Fatal Vehicle Vs. Pedestrian Hit and Run Crash In Kenneth City

Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
-Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.)

Randal Henry Ripple (Pedestrian - Deceased)
DOB: 10/18/1979
Address: 5288 56^th Terrace North, St. Petersburg

Teena Louise Harrigan (Driver Vehicle 1)
DOB: 05/25/1971
Address: 4703 50^th Avenue North, St. Petersburg
Vehicle: 2009 Jeep Patriot (black) Florida tag# 8748JK

Lawrence Harrigan (Passenger Vehicle 1)
DOB: 10/15/1953
Address: 4703 50^th Avenue North, St. Petersburg

Katrina Ward (Passenger Vehicle 1)
DOB: 02/13/1998

Unidentified Subject (Driver Vehicle 2)
Description: White Male; 50-60 years of age; medium build, approximately 5’5”; wearing a dark ball hat and dark pants.
Vehicle Description:  White four-door hatchback.   

What:
Deputies assigned to the Major Accident Investigation Team (M.A.I.T.) are investigating a vehicle vs. pedestrian crash in Kenneth City.

When:
The crash occurred at about 9:08 p.m. on Thursday, October 6, 2016.

Where:
The crash occurred on 54^th Avenue North just west of the 58^th Street North, in Kenneth City.

Why/How:
According to investigators, 36 year-old Randal Ripple, was walking southbound across 54^th Ave N, just east of 58^th Street N and was not utilizing a designated crosswalk when he was struck by a 2009 Jeep Patriot, operated by 45 year-old Teena Harrigan.  Harrigan with two passengers, was driving eastbound in the median lane of 54^th Ave N.

Investigators say within seconds of Teena’s Jeep striking Randal, a second vehicle, a white four door hatchback vehicle struck Randal and dragged him several feet before stopping.  The hatchback initially pulled over and the driver exited his vehicle and made contact with Teena.  A short time later, the driver of the hatchback returned to his car and left the scene without providing any information.

Randal was pronounced deceased on-scene.

Deputies say Teena Harrigan provided a voluntary blood draw and no impairment is suspected.

Deputies say there were several empty alcoholic containers on the south side of 54^th Ave N in the area of the crash.  According to a witness that saw Randal an hour before the crash, he was sitting in that area drinking what appeared to be alcoholic beverages. 

Impairment is suspected with Randal. 

Deputies are searching for the driver of the hatchback who is described as a white male in his 50’s – 60’s, medium build, approximately 5’5” wearing a dark hat and pants.  The hatchback was last seen traveling east on 54^th Ave N from the scene.

Deputies are reviewing surveillance video in the area.

Next of kin was notified of Randal’s passing.

Deputies are asking anyone with information regarding this crash to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 727-582-6200.

The investigation continues.