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Deadly hit-and-run arrest
FOX 13's Carla Bayron talked with the victim's best friend about the long-awaited arrest.
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. - The man suspected of driving over and killing a 21-year-old woman after shots were fired outside a Winter Haven nightclub made his first appearance in court on Tuesday.
Francisco LaPierre, 41, of Auburndale, is charged with a first-degree felony charge after the incident early in the morning on Sept. 28 outside the Kulture nightclub on 1st St. N.
Courtesy: Winter Haven Police Department.
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The main witness to the crash told investigators that the victim, Milinda Rogers, and her were in the grassy median area waiting to cross the southbound lanes of 1st St. when Rogers decided to cross. That's when LaPierre drove away from the shooting scene and hit her with his 2005 Porsche Cayenne. The witness says his brakes were applied before hitting Rogers, and then he backed over her.
Several other people saw the SUV hit Rogers and drive off. Winter Haven police rushed to save the woman, but she later died at the hospital.
Passion Cotton, Rogers' best friend, said she was a very outgoing and ambitious person.
"I feel like she's probably happy now they found the person," said Cotton. "She's gone, so we just hope he'll be gone too, for the rest of his life, because she can't get her life back."
Dig deeper:
Videos from the area and tips from the public helped identify the SUV. Detectives learned it was recently re-registered to a Palm Beach County man.
The man told authorities that his uncle, Francisco, had transferred the car to him and did not know about the crash.
Detectives then spoke with LaPierre, who admitted to "running something over" before driving away. He also confirmed that he transferred the Porsche to his nephew after the crash.
What they're saying:
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd says that this suspect will pay for his actions.
"He's locked up like he should be, and our goal is to send him to prison. We can't bring Melinda back, but I hope we can bring some closure or satisfaction for her family, knowing that we found the person that killed that beautiful young lady."
He is charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death.
During the court appearance Tuesday, LaPierre was appointed a public defender and the judge set bond at $50,000.
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The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Winter Haven Police Department.