Car crash claims life of USF student
Rikki Leigh Lewis, a 21-year-old USF student, was in a fatal car crash Sunday evening along Fowler Avenue.
Tampa Police arrested Tracie Ann Elder, 32, of 21841 Hale Road, Land O’Lakes, for leaving the scene of a crash involving a death. Elder fled the scene, but police were provided with her license plate number and information by witnesses who followed Elder’s SUV.
According to the police report, a 2000 GMC SUV driven by Lewis was cut off near Fowler and N. 51st Street Lewis tried to avoid a wreck, swerving and subsequently rolling her SUV. She was thrown from her vehicle and killed. Witnesses said Elder slowed after the accident, then sped off.
Elder was booked in Orient Road Jail on Sunday. She was released early Monday after posting $7,500 bail.
Lewis would have graduated from USF in May with a bachelor’s degree in business marketing. She was a Sun Doll during her freshman and sophomore years, according to an article in the St. Petersburg Times.
Survivors of Lewis include her mother, Gwen; father, Rickey; brother Kristofer and sister Paige.
At time of print, it was unknown when or where memorial services would be held for Lewis.
Staff report
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