ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI) – The family of Keisha Redding hopes the hit and run death of their loved one will inspire others to make changes to the way they drive.
Redding, 23, was killed Friday after she was crossing the Natural Bridge near Lucas and Hunt. Velda City Police Chief Daniel Paulino says a speeding car was trying to avoid a traffic stop. The car sped away and struck Redding.
As of early Friday evening, police were still looking for the driver of a red Monte Carlo with a white hood. The car was found abandoned in St. Louis City. Paulino said he did not believe the car was stolen, and expected an arrest to be made soon.
Orlando Watson says his daughter Paris was good friends with Redding. He said Redding stayed by his mother’s bedside when she was terminally ill.
“Weeks at a time,” said Orlando. “She would come every night and sit with my mother.”
Redding’s mother, Njoki Redding, says her daughter was caring and persistent. She does not believe the driver of the car set out to kill her daughter, and believes future tragedies could be avoid if society did a better job of addressing quality of life issues for everyone.
“Let’s move forward,” said Njoki Redding. “Let’s help everybody who needs assistance to change the way we’re living.”
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the crash. Paulino says there is dash-cam video showing his officer stopped pursing the car.
