Melinda Rogers Obituary, Death; – A man was arrested for running over and killing a 21-year-old woman in a hit-and-run last month in Winter Haven, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
The crash happened around 1:40 a.m. on Sept. 28 near the Kulture nightclub on 1st Street North.
Winter Haven police first responded to a call for shots fired, but arrived to find the 21-year-old woman who was hit in the roadway. Police rendered aid to the woman while Polk County deputies worked to track down the driver who had fled.
The woman, later identified as Melinda Rogers, died from her injuries at the hospital.
A witness told deputies that she and Rogers had crossed the southbound lanes of 1st Street North and were waiting in the grass median for cars to clear in the northbound lanes.
Rogers decided to cross the street at the same time 41-year-old Francisco Lapierre was fleeing the scene of the shooting inside his 2005 Porsche Cayenne, according to the sheriff’s office.
Deputies said Lapierre hit his brakes before crashing into the 21-year-old woman, then backed over her and sped away from the scene.
“Had he stayed at the scene, there may not have been any criminal charges at all,” Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said.
After interviewing witnesses and reviewing videos from the area, detectives were able to identify the SUV involved, adding that it had recently been re-registered to a man in Palm Beach County.
Detectives said they interviewed the man, who told them his uncle, Lapierre, had recently transferred the SUV to him. The car’s new owner reportedly had no knowledge of the crash.
According to the sheriff’s office, Lapierre admitted to “running something over” and driving away during an interview with detectives. He reportedly said he transferred the SUV to his nephew after the crash.
Lapierre, who lives in Auburndale, was arrested and charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death and tampering with evidence. He was booked into the Polk County Jail and is set to make his first appearance in court on Tuesday afternoon.
“We can’t bring Melinda back, but I hope that we can bring some closure or satisfaction for her family knowing that we found the person that killed that beautiful young lady,” Judd added.
