Riverview Man Charged in Hit-and-Run Crash

A Riverview man is facing 12 charges following a hit-and-run accident at Hillsborough Avenue and 56th Street in Tampa Dec. 11.

The Florida Highway Patrol said a Hummer driven by Henry Michael Tippins, 28, of 10912 Sailbrooke Dr., Riverview, collided with three cars, killing one person. Tippins then headed to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Witnesses followed him and called 911. Tippins was arrested in the casino parking lot.

The Florida Highway Patrol said Tippins, an engineer at Tampa Armature Works, was drunk when he ran a red light at 56th Street and hit the three cars at about 8:30 p.m. Sunday.

Linda Diane Fessell, 64, of Plant City was driving one of those cars. She died at the scene. Two other drivers, Consuelo M. Cassagne, 55, of Tampa, and Felicia Mechele Rhodes, of Tampa, sustained serious injuries.

Tippins was taken to the Hillsborough County Jail where he was charged with leaving the scene of a crash with death, three counts of leaving the scene of a crash with injury, driving under the influence, reckless driving and DUI manslaughter. He was released on a $250,000 cash bond.