85-year-old man, who chose to drive away after striking a 91-year-old woman he knew he hit in the parking lot, was released on bond
Florida – In a shocking incident that unfolded outside a Florida grocery store, an 85-year-old man, identified as D. Briggs, is facing a felony charge for leaving the scene of a crash involving death. The charge stems from a fatal collision in which Briggs struck and killed a 91-year-old woman, identified as M. Broughton, at the parking lot of a supermarket.
According to court documents and statements from the police department, Briggs admitted that he realized he had run over “something” in the parking lot, but instead of stopping and helping the woman, he decided to keep driving. That “something,” unfortunately, was a woman who would later succumb to her injuries. Briggs was arrested and booked into county jail, where he later posted $50,000 bond and was released. The felony charge he faces carries serious legal consequences and underscores the responsibilities of drivers involved in any type of collision, especially one that results in death.
The fatal crash occurred just before 5 p.m. on Friday, November 7, in the parking lot of a Publix. Witnesses and security footage led authorities to determine that Briggs, then behind the wheel, struck 91-year-old Broughton while she was on foot in the busy lot. Instead of stopping or calling for help, he allegedly fled the scene, continuing on to his nearby apartment complex. Emergency responders were called to the site, and Broughton was quickly transported to a local hospital. Despite medical intervention, she was pronounced dead from injuries sustained in the crash.
By the time officers identified and located the vehicle seen leaving the scene, it was parked at Briggs’ residence. There, police confronted him and brought him in for questioning. In a post-arrest affidavit, Briggs reportedly admitted that he knew he had hit “something” but chose not to stop and instead drove home. This detail has become central to the case—not just because of what happened, but because of what did not happen: no attempt to check on the victim, call 911, or return to the scene. It’s this alleged failure that has placed Briggs at the center of a felony investigation.
Briggs was taken into custody and processed on one count of leaving the scene of a crash causing death, a charge that, under Florida law, can carry significant prison time if convicted. He was released Saturday evening after posting a $50,000 bond, though authorities have not yet disclosed when his next court appearance will take place. The police department has confirmed that their investigation remains ongoing. Questions remain about how the incident unfolded and whether any additional charges could stem from further findings.
As of now, the case has moved into the legal system, with court proceedings pending. The community, meanwhile, mourns the loss of Broughton—a 91-year-old woman whose life ended in a parking lot, and whose death could have prompted help far sooner had the driver behind the wheel made a different decision. The outcome of this case will likely rest on what prosecutors can prove—but for many, the admission alone that he ran over “something” and still drove away is a detail that may place Briggs behind bars for decades.
