Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Police seek driver in hit-and-run crash
Woman and her dog killed and another woman injured
A day after a hit-and-run driver killed a Davie woman and her dog and injured another woman, neighbors said speeders who use their streets as shortcuts have been a continuing danger.
“At every single homeowners’ meeting, we have complaints of speeding and heavy, cut-through traffic,” said Denny Smith, past president of the homeowners’ association at Park City Estates mobile home park. Davie police said they patrol Park City Estates and set up radar to capture speeders.
Emma Kelsoe, 80, and Victoria Guzzo McCall, 61, were neighbors in the community, south of State Road 84 and east of South Pine Island Road. They were outside chatting Wednesday night when, police say, a small dark-colored car, possibly a Toyota Corolla, struck and killed Kelsoe and injured McCall.
Kelsoe’s Chihuahua, Rondo, was also killed in the 7 p.m. accident in front of McCall’s home in the 8500 block of Southwest 18th Street. Investigators said the driver went off the road and hit the women, who were standing in the bike lane along with the dog on a leash. The car never stopped, police said.
McCall told her niece Kimberly McCall that all she remembered was Kelsoe telling her a car was coming, then headlights, then another neighbor, a nurse, standing over her.
Davie Fire Rescue took Victoria McCall to Broward Health Medical Center, where she was found to have two broken bones in her spine. She is able to walk and was discharged Wednesday night.
“She’s in shock,” Kimberly McCall said Thursday outside her aunt’s home, two doors down from Kelsoe’s. “It’s a miracle that’s all that happened to her. She definitely had someone watching over her.”
She said her aunt was new to the well-kept neighborhood where tall palms line the medians. Thursday morning, residents of the 55-and-older community were walking their dogs past the accident scene, or riding in golf carts and on bicycles to see where their neighbors were struck down.
“Emma welcomed her to the neighborhood,” Kimberly McCall said. “She was very sweet and kind to my aunt.”
Kelsoe’s white home is distinguished by a wishing well out front with white crucifixes attached. On her front porch, a white dog pen holds squeaky toys.
Witnesses told investigators they saw a male driver and possibly a female passenger. The driver is described as in his 50s and was wearing glasses, authorities said.
Police are looking for more witnesses and anyone who might have photos or video. They also made a public plea for the driver to come forward and speak with investigators.
“We are asking for the driver of this vehicle to please come forward and let us know exactly what happened,” said Capt. Dale Engle. “We believe that this was truly an accident.”
Residents say motorists use their community’s streets as shortcuts to State Road 84 and Interstate 595. They said there are not enough stop signs and no traffic lights to slow down drivers.
“We just hope that whoever did this comes forward, not just for justice for us, but for Emmie’s family too,” Kimberly McCall said.
Davie police ask anyone with information to call 954-693-8200. Tipsters can also call Broward County Crime Stoppers at 954-493-8477. That organization pays up to $3,000 for information that leads to an arrest.