Sunday will mark one year since a hit-and-run crash took 56-year-old Philip Anderson's life and left his girlfriend, Tricia Best, injured. St. Pete Police investigators are asking anyone, particularly two people who were in a nearby dark-colored SUV/van, to come forward with information.
The crash happened at 8:20 p.m. on May 2, 2020 while the pair were riding a motorcycle northbound on 34th Street North. As they were traveling, a silver sedan traveling in the same direction swiped their motorcycle, causing Anderson to lose control and crash in the 1500 block of 34th Street North. The impact threw them off the motorcycle and onto the pavement. Both were taken to Bayfront Health. Best survived, but Anderson succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators tracked down the silver sedan that swiped the couple's motorcycle, but need your help identifying the person or people who were inside the car at the time. Attached is a video/still photo of a dark-colored Nissan SUV or van that was in the area at the time the crash happened. We are also trying to determine who they are, as they may have vitally important information in the investigation.
Anderson's girlfriend (who was injured in the crash) and his daughter are willing to speak with the media. Interested media can call this weekend's on-call PIO, Sandra Bentil, at 727-420-6448.
Anyone with information about this crash is asked to reach out to the St. Petersburg Police Department by calling 727-893-7780 or you can send an anonymous message by texting the letters "SPPD" and your tip to TIP411. Please mention Report# 2020-016224.
St. Petersburg Police Media Relations - (727) 893-7550
YOLANDA FERNANDEZ - Public Information Officer