Palmetto man arrested for fatal hit-and-run in Sarasota

SARASOTA — A Palmetto man has been arrested in connection with a hit-and-run in downtown Sarasota that killed an elderly woman in late February.

Devan Carroll, 35, allegedly struck 81-year-old Pamela Jean Etsinger in a crosswalk at Second Street and Coconut Ave around 11:30 p.m. on February 29. Security camera footage shows that Etsinger, who had been celebrating her birthday at the Sarasota Opera House, attempted to cross Coconut while the pedestrian signal read Don't Walk.

A silver four-door Ford F-150 Platinum pickup could be seen braking and swerving in an attempt to avoid Etsinger, but it struck her as the vehicle jumped the curb.

A witness said the truck sped off at a high rate of speed following the collision. The vehicle was later captured heading north on the Tamiami Trail at 11 p.m. Readings of the license plates showed a match and that the vehicle was registered to Carroll.

When Etsinger passed away as a result of her injuries, the truck's plate was entered as a felony vehicle. On March 1, the truck was pulled over by an MCSO deputy. The vehicle showed damage consistent with the collision.

A subsequent investigation found that Carroll had been driving the truck that evening and had visited Memories Lounge and Evie's Tavern prior to the crash. Investigators also learned that earlier on the evening of the collision, Carroll had been stopped for speeding by MCSO.

Carroll has been charged with a hit-and-run crash involving death.