Florida bicyclist dragged to death in hit-and-run, suspect in custody
Authorities say Xavier Rigby fled after dragging 38-year-old Kjersten Strang for blocks on an e-bike in Gulfport; he faces vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene charges
A bicyclist was killed in a hit-and-run in Gulfport, Florida, after being dragged for blocks by a driver who allegedly fled the scene, authorities said Friday. The crash occurred around 10 p.m. on Sept. 20, 2025, when a 2021 Nissan Altima struck Kjersten Aileen-Hermance Strang, 38, who was riding an e-bike along 49th Street in the curb lane. Police said the impact sent Strang onto the vehicle’s windshield and, after a long pull, she was dislodged as the car continued for about eight blocks before stopping. Rigby then fled and was later arrested in nearby St. Petersburg. He reportedly showed signs of impairment and refused a field sobriety test at the scene.
Strang, a mother of a young boy, was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident drew swift attention from law enforcement and prompted a manhunt that ended with the arrest of Xavier Rigby, who police say had a lengthy prior run of traffic offenses.
Rigby is charged with vehicular homicide, DUI manslaughter and leaving the scene of a crash involving death, according to police records obtained by Fox News Digital. Court documents show a criminal history that includes multiple traffic-related offenses, including a 2022 hit-and-run. He appeared in court for a first appearance, where Judge Elizabeth Zuroweste criticized Rigby’s prior behavior and the seriousness of the latest offenses.
During the hearing, Zuroweste highlighted a 2024 DUI arrest that had been reduced to reckless driving and noted that the state had offered the lesser charge to help with bond. “We’ve now gone to a second DUI, but this time the extremely aggravating facts where you’ve killed somebody, left the scene and dragged their body,” the judge said, according to FOX 13. She denied bond on two charges and set a $750,000 bond on the DUI manslaughter offense, while ordering no bond on the vehicular homicide and leaving-the-scene charges.
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. The case remains under investigation as authorities seek additional evidence and determine the full timeline of events. A next court date has not been publicly announced.
Authorities in Pinellas County continue to review surveillance footage and call witnesses to better understand how the crash unfolded, including whether any other vehicles were involved or if factors such as speed and lighting contributed to the fatal outcome. The case has intensified ongoing discussions about traffic safety in Gulfport and the wider Tampa Bay area.
As investigators continue to gather evidence, authorities emphasize that Rigby remains jailed on the two most serious charges with no bond, while the DUI manslaughter charge carries a substantial bond. Officials have not provided additional updates on the status of the case, including potential additional charges or the timing of further court proceedings. The victim’s family and community in Gulfport mourn her loss, and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward to aid the investigation.