Clearwater Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard went quiet Wednesday night after Elbert Gilbert, 60, lost his life in a hit-and-run that left a family grieving and a city searching for answers. Gilbert, a Clearwater resident, was crossing the busy road in a marked crosswalk when he was struck by a car that never stopped.
Police say the crash happened around 9:30 p.m., a time when traffic is still steady but visibility begins to fade. Gilbert was walking across Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard when a vehicle hit him with force and sped off. Officers believe the car may be a red Ford Mustang from the 2020s with noticeable front-end damage.
First responders rushed to the scene within minutes. Gilbert was transported to a nearby hospital as a trauma alert with critical injuries. Despite emergency treatment, doctors were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead later that night.
The driver responsible did not stop to help or call for aid. That decision has now turned a fatal crash into a felony investigation. Leaving the scene of a deadly accident in Florida carries severe criminal penalties, and Clearwater police say they are committed to finding the person behind the wheel.
Gulf-to-Bay Boulevard is one of Clearwater’s busiest east-west corridors. It cuts through neighborhoods, shopping areas, and major intersections, and it sees heavy traffic well into the evening. Pedestrians often rely on marked crosswalks along the road, but the mix of speed, volume, and nighttime driving has long raised safety concerns.
Clearwater, a city of about 120,000 people, sits at the heart of Pinellas County and draws constant local and tourist traffic. With Clearwater Beach nearby and major highways feeding into the area, police say drivers must stay alert, especially in pedestrian zones after dark.
Investigators are now asking the public for help. Anyone who saw the crash, noticed a damaged red Mustang, or has information about the driver is urged to contact the Clearwater Police Department at 727-562-4242. Even small details could matter.
For now, the focus remains on justice for Elbert Gilbert. No other vehicles or injuries were involved, and the investigation is ongoing. As detectives work the case, the loss has renewed calls for caution on Clearwater’s busiest streets and respect for the people who cross them every day.
