TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Troopers need help solving hit-and-run that killed Ruskin teen

Staff photo by MICHAEL EGGER

A flower marks the area where Jessie Driggers was struck while crossing U.S. 41 north of 19th Avenue late Saturday night.

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 19, 2009

Updated: 10/19/2009 01:27 pm

Related Links

• Sign guest book
• Photo gallery

Jessie Driggers

RUSKIN - One plain hubcap.

That's the evidence troopers have right now against the driver in Saturday night's fatal hit-and-run crash involving a 17-year-old pedestrian from Ruskin, Florida Highway Patrol Sgt. Larry Kraus said.

"We're going to need some help on this one," Kraus said today of the investigation.

Jessie Driggers, 17, of Ruskin, who had played football for Lennard High School, died Saturday after the crash at U.S. 41.

Driggers was not at a crosswalk when he was struck while crossing the northbound lanes of U.S. 41 north of 19th Avenue at 11:31 p.m. Saturday, Kraus said. Two of Driggers' friends were there when the crash occurred in the outside lane. Troopers aren't releasing their names.

"It was so dark they couldn't really tell what kind of [vehicle] it was or what make or even a color," Kraus said.

The witnesses said the vehicle stopped briefly after striking Driggers and then took off.

Driggers' family declined to comment.

Driggers withdrew from Lennard about a year ago, enrolling at a career center in southern Hillsborough County, Lennard Principal Craig Horstman said. He attended the career center for a few months but left to pursue adult education, South County Career Center's principal said.

Grief counselors are available if needed today for Lennard students.

Horstman remembered Driggers as an easygoing, well-liked student-athlete.

Driggers' funeral services will be held Tuesday in a private event.

Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

Share this:

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT