CHIPLEY — The Chipley Police Department is asking the public to be on the look out for a car involved in a hit and run that ultimately claimed the life of a Wausau teen Thursday.
According to official reports, the Chipley PD was dispatched to the area of South Blvd. and Iona St. around 6:13 p.m. Thursday in reference to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian.
What investigators believe was a newer model dark colored car was traveling west bound on South Blvd when the vehicle left the roadway on the north shoulder, striking a pedestrian.
After the impact, the vehicle continued to travel west in the ditch for several feet before reentering the road way continuing west bound on South Blvd. The vehicle fled the scene, leaving the City of Chipley on South Blvd.
The victim is identified as Thomas Richardson, 18, of Wausau. Richardson was transported by Washington County EMS to Northwest Florida Community Hospital, where he was later air lifted to Bay Medical Center in Panama City. Richardson died at 11:08pm due to his injuries.
"We’re asking the public to be on the lookout for a dark colored car that should have damage on the right front and also missing the passenger side view mirror," said Police Chief Kevin Crews, who went on to explain Richardson was killed while performing an act of kindness.
"Mr. Richardson, along with a friend, was at this location waiting to meet a Chipley Police Officer. Since Wednesday, officers with the Chipley Police Department had been looking for a lost dog that belonged to an elderly lady that lived in the neighborhood. The lady has had the dog for 16 years and everyone that lived in the area knew who the dog belonged to. Mr. Richardson and his friend had located the dog after it had been ran over and killed on Iona Street. The two young men were just trying to do the right thing by contacting the police about the dog. We are offering a $1,000 reward for information that leads us to the arrest of the person responsible."
Friends of Richardson, who was an active member of Chipley's First United Methodist Church youth group, say kindness came naturally to the teen.
Brandon Loriaux, who planned to join the U.S. Air Force with Richardson, was the friend helping Richardson reunite the elderly lady with her lost pet.
"Thomas wasn't like most people," Loriaux. "He was very quiet ... the people he was open to really loved him, and he would have done anything for them. I know - I'm one of those people. He had a very bright future ahead of him, and I just want people know in his last moment, the only reason he was there was because he was helping me help an older lady."
Anyone with any information regarding this crime is asked to contact the Chipley Police Department at (850) 638-6310. To remain anonymous, call the Crime Stoppers of Washington County at (850) 638-TIPS.