Bradenton woman sentenced to jail, probation for hit-and-run that killed ‘Peace Walker'
BRADENTON, Fla. - The Manatee County woman convicted in a hit-and-run crash that killed a Bradenton man known by neighbors as the "Peace Walker" will not go to prison, instead receiving a 364-day jail sentence and five years probation.
Case against Teresa Zeppi
The backstory:
Teresa Zeppi was behind the wheel of her Lincoln Navigator when she hit Joseph Dralus, Sr., 82, in April 2020.
Dralus, who became known as the "Peace Walker" for flashing the peace sign to passersby during walks through his neighborhood, died less than a month later.
Pictured: Joseph Dralus, Sr.
It took two years for detectives to arrest Zeppi. Investigators said she didn't immediately stop following the crash, eventually pulling over about 500 feet down the road. Prosecutors showed jurors home security video they said shows Zeppi checking her vehicle for damage, then leaving the scene.
Pictured: Teresa Zeppi in court.
Dig deeper:
Both of Dralus' sons testified at trial, explaining their part in the investigation to jurors. Christopher Dralus said he provided investigators with his father's toothbrush and hairbrush for DNA comparisons.
"Initially I was going to provide them his ashes, but I was told... they weren't able to get DNA from ashes, so they asked if I could come up with a hairbrush, toothbrush, anything with his DNA on it, which I knew I could come up with a toothbrush and a hairbrush," Christopher Dralus said on the stand. "He was a very hard worker, provided for his family, loved his family very much and loved being outdoors, as my brother had stated earlier and loved to do his walks on a daily basis."
Pictured: Christopher Dralus on the stand.
Prosecutors also said Zeppi's vehicle had front-end damage and DNA taken from the SUV matched the victim's.
RELATED: Bradenton woman found guilty in deadly ‘Peace Walker’ hit-and-run crash
"The swabs from the hood slash fender, the swabs from the headlight and the swabs from the passenger side bumper all had DNA that I was able to make interpretations and comparisons to," said Kaleigh Brownell, a DNA analyst for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
In early March, Zeppi was found guilty of leaving the scene of a crash with death.
On Thursday, April 10, Judge Peter Dubensky prepared the court for his sentence.
"What we are here to do is to determine what should be the punishment for a citizen who ignores a more code and did what she did. That’s not an easy question to answer," Dubensky told the court.
The other side:
Testimony from Zeppi’s family and friends showed a woman dedicated to her family, but one who had gone through the emotional struggles of cancer and an unfaithful husband.
Those who testified on behalf of Zeppi said leaving Drauls fighting for his life alone was out of character for her.
"There are mysteries in this case. Why didn’t Ms. Zeppi just stop her car? We can speculate, but we don’t know," said Dubensky.
The state requested a 15-year sentence from the Department of Corrections. Zeppi’s defense attorney, Brett McIntosh, argued for a lower sentence, saying mitigating factors exist.
"I do believe the defense has proved there are grounds for a downward departure. I do so find that Ms. Zeppi’s emotional and mental disorders are extreme. The PTSD and depression are directly related to her health issues, physical health issues before the accident," said Dubensky.
What's next:
Zeppi will serve her 364-day jail sentence with credit for time served, followed by five years' probation.
In addition, Zeppi must serve 120 hours of community service at a trauma center or hospital that treats victims of accidents, and her driver's license will be suspended for five years.
What they're saying:
The Dralus family released a statement after Thursday's sentencing hearing, saying: "We generally appreciate the state's effort and the Manatee County court. The Dralus family wants to thank the neighbors, family and friends [who supported us] throughout the process."
The Source: Information for this story came from FOX 13's Kimberly Kuizon, a court hearing on April 10, 2025 and additional FOX 13 reports.
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