Bradenton Woman Convicted in Deadly Hit-and-Run of 'Peace Walker'
A jury has found Teresa Zeppi guilty of leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death, bringing a conclusion to the case surrounding the 2020 hit-and-run that claimed the life of 82-year-old Joseph Dralus Sr., a Bradenton man known by neighbors as the "Peace Walker."
The Incident and Investigation
Florida Highway Patrol investigators determined that Zeppi was driving a Lincoln Navigator when she struck Dralus in April 2020. Instead of stopping immediately, she reportedly pulled over approximately 500 feet down the road before leaving the scene. Dralus succumbed to his injuries less than a month later.
It took two years for law enforcement to arrest Zeppi. Prosecutors presented home security footage to jurors, which they argued showed Zeppi checking her vehicle for damage before driving away. Investigators later confirmed that DNA samples taken from Zeppi’s SUV matched the victim.
Trial Testimonies and Legal Arguments
During the trial, both of Dralus' sons took the stand to share their experiences in the investigation. Christopher Dralus provided authorities with personal items from his father, including a toothbrush and hairbrush, to facilitate DNA comparisons. Joseph Dralus Jr. testified that he searched the community himself and eventually located Zeppi’s vehicle parked in her driveway, noting visible front-end damage.
Florida Department of Law Enforcement DNA analyst Kaleigh Brownell testified that DNA from multiple areas of Zeppi’s vehicle, including the hood, fender, and headlight, matched Dralus.
The defense countered with their own crash reconstruction expert, Sean O’Leary, who argued that the Lincoln Navigator was not the vehicle involved in the crash, citing a lack of expected damage given the victim’s injuries.
Conviction and Sentencing
Despite the defense’s claims, jurors sided with the prosecution, finding Zeppi guilty of leaving the scene of a crash with death. Initially, she had reached a plea agreement that would have kept her out of jail, but prosecutors withdrew the deal last month, leading to the trial. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
Seeking Justice for the 'Peace Walker'
Following the verdict, the Dralus family expressed their gratitude to the prosecution team for their dedication to the case, stating that justice had finally been served.
With the conviction, the community remembers Joseph Dralus Sr. not only for his tragic passing but for the peaceful walks that made him a familiar and cherished presence in his neighborhood.
