BRADENTON, Florida — Teresa Zeppi, the woman implicated in a fatal 2020 hit-and-run incident in Manatee County, has been sentenced to 364 days in jail followed by five years’ probation, as ruled by a judge on Thursday.
In 2020, Zeppi faced charges for hitting 82-year-old Joseph Dralus while he was walking along 9th Avenue Northwest in Bradenton. Authorities claimed that Zeppi left the scene after the incident.
According to the prosecution, surveillance footage recorded Zeppi exiting her vehicle shortly after the collision. The footage showed her walking around the car, wiping something off the front bumper, and then departing the scene. Dralus succumbed to his injuries about a month later.
In addition to her jail time, Zeppi will participate in a mental health treatment program. Just last month, a jury found her guilty of leaving the scene of a fatal crash.
The presiding judge noted that Zeppi’s mental health issues played a role in her behavior during the hit-and-run incident.
Key Information
- Defendant: Teresa Zeppi
- Incident: Deadly hit-and-run involving 82-year-old Joseph Dralus in 2020
- Sentence: 364 days in jail and five years’ probation
- Additional Requirement: Participation in a mental health treatment program
- Conviction: Found guilty of leaving the scene of a deadly crash
- Judge’s Note: Mental health disorders contributed to Zeppi’s actions
Article original publish date: 2025-04-10 07:00:00
Article source: www.wtsp.com
Read the full story at the original source: www.wtsp.com
