Suspect in fatal Florissant hit-and-run in custody: Police
By Kevin S. Held,
6 hours ago
FLORISSANT, Mo. – A Florissant man was charged Monday in connection with a hit-and-run crash over the weekend that claimed the lives of a pedestrian and his dog.
According to a Florissant Police Department spokesperson, the collision happened around 7 a.m. Saturday in the 400 block of Waterford Drive.
Officers arrived to find Rick Alsept lying dead in the roadway. He was 62. Alsept’s dog was also found nearby.
Surveillance video from a neighbor’s camera shows the man was catapulted at least eight feet into the air and thrown at least 50 feet.
The posted speed limit at the on this section of Waterford is 25 miles per hour. The driver could be seen on the neighbor’s camera speeding away from the area.
Police said investigators were able to identify the vehicle and arrest the alleged driver: Alonzo Johnson, 29.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Johnson with leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Johnson remains jailed on a $50,000 bond.
There is now a memorial growing where the accident occurred on the corner of Waterford and Blackwood Drives.
It’s a really heartbreaking situation,” Karin Anthony, a Florissant resident who lives near the scene of Saturday’s tragedy, said.
She said Alsept was known for being kind and friendly.
“He walked his dog every day, and as he was walking, he was cleaning, you know, he would pick up litter off the ground,” she said.
Police are continuing to investigate and expressed condolences to the victim’s family. They also say it’s too soon to know all of the details contributing to the deadly hit-and-run.
“Our traffic reconstructionist are still investigating,” Officer Steve Michael, Florissant Police Department, said.
In addition to enforcement and education for drivers and pedestrians, the department also offers free, bright-colored yard signs displaying a message that reads, “Drive Safe Florissant.”
Neighbors hope drivers will recognize the consequences of their actions.
“Drive slowly and be careful,” Anthony added. “Be more watchful and more thoughtful.”
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$50,000 bond for killing a person and a dog and then leaving the scene??? I just don't get our justice system anymore! He should have no bond! He killed someone! I bet if it was a judges family member or a cops it would be a different story. Ridiculous.
Trever Nelson
3h ago
It’s just insane that he could have been easily up to 60 miles an hour and just hit someone without even breaking! I also want to thank god for leaving us in this hell and doing NOTHING for his so called creation 👎
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