A crash in Holmes Beach that left one pedestrian dead and another injured might result in few consequences for the motorist involved.
Holmes Beach police issued Michael Ritchie, 43, of Bradenton, a traffic citation May 12 for failing to yield to Deborah and Miriam Trotter. He struck the women with his pickup as they walked in a crosswalk.
The Trotters had entered a new crosswalk with an active pedestrian crossing signal across Gulf Drive between S&S Plaza and the defunct Wells Fargo building and had the right of way when they were struck by the 2018 GMC 2500 driven by Ritchie. Ritchie was turning left from Marina Drive onto Gulf Drive.
Deborah Trotter, 65, of Holmes Beach, was treated at the hospital and released the same day.
Her mother, Miriam Trotter, 86, visiting from Maryland, suffered critical injuries and died May 17.
Ritchie was not arrested and was not charged with any criminal offense.
A crash report said Ritchie said he never saw either pedestrian and “stated he had the green light.”
He was observed rendering aid to the victims when law enforcement arrived at the scene.
The report also said, “Witnesses stated that vehicle#1 did not hit his brakes or attempt to stop before hitting the pedestrians.”
The 12th District Florida State Attorney’s Office told The Islander May 25 that since there was no initial arrest, any investigation would be confidential until potential charges are pursued.
Ritchie, meanwhile, is contesting the $166 citation for “failure to yield right of way to pedestrian at intersection with traffic control device.”
Attorney David Haenel of the Sarasota-based The Law Place filed a plea of not guilty May 22 and requested a trial by a county court judge on behalf of his client, Ritchie.
A mandatory traffic infraction hearing will be at 8:30 a.m. June 7, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.