Clearwater Woman Charged In Hit-And-Run Death Of Pedestrian

CLEARWATER, FL — A Clearwater woman has been arrested and charged after police said she fatally struck a pedestrian with her car earlier this month.

Dawn Dunkle, 51, was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death in connection with the hit-and-run crash on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard, Clearwater police said in a news release.

According to police, Dunkle was driving a red 2024 Ford Mustang when she struck 60-year-old Elbert Gilbert when he was in the crosswalk. After hitting Gilbert, police said Dunkle left the scene without calling 911 or stopping to help him.

Using parts of her car left at the scene, police were able to locate the vehicle a few days later. Police said the car had damage similar to that of being in a crash with a pedestrian.

According to police, Dunkle told authorities she thought she had hit a box or speed bump.

Dunkle was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and was booked into the Pinellas County Jail this morning.