Woman charged with striking and fatally injuring cherished Bradenton ‘Peace Walker’ will face trial.

BRADENTON, Fla. – A woman charged in a deadly Manatee County hit-and-run appeared stunned as a judge ruled she will stand trial nearly five years after the crash that killed an 82-year-old man.

Teresa Zeppi was placed in handcuffs on Monday for hitting and killing Joey Dralus while he was on a walk in the neighborhood.

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Manatee County Judge Frederick Mercurio had strong words for Assistant State Attorney Jose Herrero as he discussed Zeppi’s plea deal.

“I am going to revoke your bond in this case. You’ll now be held with no bond until your case is resolved,” said Mercurio. “I believe the state has fallen flat on their faces in presenting this case to the court and the justice system. Not only for you, but for everyone involved.”

The backstory:

Prosecutors state that Zeppi hit Dralus with her Lincoln Navigator in 2020, then fled the scene after checking for damage. Dralus died from his injuries.

Dralus was well-known in North West Bradenton as the “Peace Walker,” recognized for greeting passersby with a smile and a peace sign during daily walks.

After a thorough investigation, the Florida Highway Patrol reported that Zeppi, now 60, was behind the wheel and had attempted to wipe evidence from her bumper.

Defense attorney Brett McIntosh argued, “As if she has the ability, somebody who has worked with elderly people and with children, (she) has an adoption agency, for God’s sake. And she just hits somebody and drives off, not knowingly? No way.”

Dig deeper:

Zeppi was arrested in 2022 on charges of leaving the scene of a crash with death and tampering with evidence, bonding out the same day.

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Initially, Zeppi was offered a two-year house arrest plea deal, which was revoked last Friday.

What they’re saying:

According to McIntosh, Zeppi is prepared for trial.

“She’s 60 years old. She doesn’t drive around, striking men, elderly men, that are walking down the road and driving off,” he stated.

Zeppi will be held without bond.

In June 2023, Zeppi was involved in another accident, resulting in her license being revoked.

For Dralus’ son, Joseph Dralus Jr., the ruling brings a glimmer of hope for justice.

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“I was shocked to learn she wouldn’t serve any jail time,” said Dralus, Jr. “When I heard a plea agreement was made without consideration or prior notice… my father died from this. Someone lost their life regardless of the circumstances.”

“The punishment doesn’t fit this crime,” he expressed. “I doubt she has spent even one night in jail during this entire ordeal.”

Dralus Jr. remarked how important it is to rely on the justice system for fairness.

“We will keep our faith in the system as it’s our only recourse. We’ll see what the final outcome is,” he noted. “She has to live with the reality of this, whether it’s in custody or at home.”

What’s next:

Jury selection is set for Monday morning, with the trial to commence once a jury is seated.

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Key Information

• Incident: Hit-and-run case resulting in the death of Joey Dralus, 82.
• Defendant: Teresa Zeppi, 60 years old.
• Court Ruling: Judge denied plea deal; Zeppi will stand trial without bond.
• Charges: Leaving the scene of a crash with death, tampering with evidence.
• Trial Date: Jury selection scheduled for Monday morning.