A 22-year-old man, Xavier Omar Rigby, is facing serious charges after allegedly hitting a single mother riding an e-bike in St. Petersburg, Florida. The incident occurred on Saturday, and Rigby reportedly continued driving for several blocks with the victim, 38-year-old Kjersten Aileen-Hermance Strang, lodged on his windshield before finally stopping at a liquor store.
According to officials, Rigby was speeding in a 2021 Nissan Ultima and collided with Strang’s bike. Tragically, Strang was declared dead at the scene.
After hitting Strang, Rigby didn’t call for help or check on her; he simply left. It was only about a mile away that St. Petersburg police found him at a liquor store, showing obvious signs of impairment. Officers noted the smell of alcohol, his unsteady eyes, and his slurred speech.
Rigby was quickly arrested after refusing to take a sobriety test. He now faces multiple charges, including DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash. He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
During his appearance in court on Monday, Judge Elizabeth Zuroweste pointed out Rigby’s troubling history, mentioning a prior incident in 2022. She highlighted the severity of the current situation, stating, “This time, it was a very worsening fact, killing someone and dragging them off the scene.” Rigby’s bond was set at $750,000 for the manslaughter charges, alongside no bond for the vehicle murder charge, as he was deemed a danger to the community.
Strang was a single mother and, according to a GoFundMe set up for her family, was described as a loving person within her community. Her tragic death has left her loved ones grieving and seeking support.
