Clearwater Police have arrested a suspect in connection with a fatal pedestrian hit-and-run that occurred on February 4, 2026, on Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard.
On the morning of February 13, Clearwater Police homicide detectives and traffic homicide investigators arrested 51-year-old Dawn Dunkle of 1128 Pine St. Dunkle was charged with leaving the scene of a crash involving death. She was also charged with possession of a controlled substance (alprazolam). She was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
The crash occurred at approximately 9:30 p.m. in the 1400 block of Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard. Clearwater Police and Clearwater Fire & Rescue responded to the scene.
Investigators said 60-year-old Elbert Gilbert (DOB 2-18-1965), of Clearwater, was in a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a vehicle traveling westbound. The vehicle fled the scene.
Gilbert was transported as a trauma alert to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries and later died.
Police said Dunkle was driving a red 2024 Ford Mustang when it struck Gilbert. After the crash, she did not call 911 or stop to render aid and left the scene. Parts of the vehicle were left behind.
Video released of the suspected vehicle involved in the crash
Investigators located the car a few days later. The vehicle had damage consistent with a crash involving a pedestrian. Detectives said Dunkle told others she believed she had struck a box or speed bump.
The investigation is ongoing.