Kjersten Strang is a devoted mom to a young son, and her social media pages are covered with almost every photo of her son. Kjersten’s last post on Facebook is written directly to her son, expressing, “As long as I’m living, my baby, you’ll be loved” and “I’ll love you forever.”
Kjersten’s friends describe her as an “angel,” and they organize a GoFundMe to provide help with funeral expenses and plan to gift the remaining proceeds over to Kjersten’s mother, Elaine.
Kjersten was tragically killed while she was obeying road rules by riding her ebike in the designated “bike lane” in Gulfport, Florida, around 10pm Saturday night.
Unfortunately, a driver of a Nissan Altima was breaking every road rule and was being driven by a repeat offender, Xavier Rigby.
Without warning, Rigby slams Kjersten from behind at a high rate of speed, throwing the 38-year-old mother into the air, forcing her to land so hard on the windshield of Rigby’s car, trapping her in the broken glass windshield.
This is when many would hope the perp stops to render aid, but no, Rigby does not stop; he continues driving as if there isn’t an injured woman on his windshield.
Police on the scene report Rigby shows multiple signs of impairment, including the smell of alcohol, bloodshot eyes, stumbling, and slurred speech. Rigby also refuses the roadside sobriety test, so police immediately arrest him and haul him off to the Pinellas County Jail. Police charge Rigby with leaving the scene of a crash involving death, vehicular homicide leaving the scene, and DUI manslaughter.
More shocking details surface after Rigby’s arrest, unveiling his previous extensive criminal driving record that includes a previous hit-and-run with DUI charges as well.
Unfortunately, the state reduced that DUI to a lesser charge of “reckless driving.” His driving record also cited several traffic infractions, one being speeding more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit.
During Rigby’s first court appearance, the judge had strong words for him, calling Rigby a “danger to the community,” and not only did this second DUI kill somebody, but also he dragged their body while fleeing the scene and did not bother to stop to render them aid.
Joining Nancy Grace today:
Additional Guests
- Lisa Miller – Mother of Samantha Miller, who was killed by a drunk driver on the day of her wedding, April 28, 2023, in Folly Beach, South Carolina
- Joseph Low – Trial attorney and Founder of the Law Firm of Joseph H. Low IV, one of the few attorneys who practice in military, state and federal courts. Former U.S. Marine. Website: attorney4people.com, Instagram: josephlowesq
“Crime Stories with Nancy Grace” on Fox Nation is also a national radio show on SiriusXM channel 111, airing for two hours daily starting at 12 p.m. EST. You can also subscribe and download the daily podcasts at iHeart Podcasts.
[Feature Photo: Kjersten Strang/Facebook]
