Two Persons Died When Their Car Was Struck By a Hit and Run Driver

A Panama City Beach woman and her daughter were killed shortly after midnight Saturday morning at West 98 and Thomas Drive.

The driver who struck then fled the scene and was arrested some nine hours later on hit and run charges.

Killed were Jenni Purdie, 28 years old, and her one-year-old son, John.

Florida Highway Patrol Troopers say Ms. Purdie’s car was stopped at the intersection for a traffic light when a car driven by Timothy Wayne Chilton, 44, of Huber Heights, Ohio was driving in the eastbound turn lane, failed to turn or stop and crashed into the side of Ms. Purdie’s car.

The crash sent the Purdie station wagon crashing into another car also stopped for the light at the intersection. Three people in that car were injured.

Chilton, the alleged hit and run driver, fled and was arrested about nine hours later by troopers. He’s charged with two counts of leaving the scene of a traffic accident involving a fatality and is now in the Bay County Jail.

Additional Hearings Set for Attorney Bill Price