CHIPLEY — A Washington County teen “trying to do the right thing” died Thursday night after being struck by a hit-and-run driver.
The Chipley Police Department is asking the public to be on the lookout for the car involved in the incident that killed Thomas Richardson, 18, of Wausau.
Police Chief Kevin Crews said Richardson had been searching for an elderly woman’s lost dog when he found it dead on Iona Street. Richardson called police and was waiting for officers to arrive around 6 p.m. when he was hit by the unknown driver.
According to police reports, Chipley investigators believe a newer model, dark-colored car was traveling west on South Boulevard when the vehicle left the roadway on the north shoulder, hitting Richardson. After the impact, the vehicle continued west on South Boulevard and left the scene.
Richardson was taken by Washington County EMS to Northwest Florida Community Hospital, where he was later air-lifted to Bay Medical Sacred Heart. Richardson died at 11:08 p.m.
“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,” Crews said.
The chief said Richardson was killed while performing an act of kindness.
“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,” he said. “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,” he said.
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.”
Can You Help?
- Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact the Chipley Police Department at 850-638-6310. To remain anonymous, call CrimeStoppers of Washington County at 850-638-TIPS.