Alexa “Lexi” Jewel Ringo dies in two-vehicle crash on Covington Garden

Pickup truck runs stop sign and strikes car carrying passenger on 30th Street Northeast

December 26, 2025 | Apollo Beach, FL

A 16-year-old passenger lost her life in a devastating crash on Dec. 26 when a suspected impaired driver failed to stop at a sign and collided with her vehicle, according to authorities.

Alexa “Lexi” Jewel Ringo, 16, died after a pickup truck struck the passenger side of the car she was riding in on Covington Garden Drive in Apollo Beach.

The victim was Alexa “Lexi” Jewel Ringo, a promising student and community volunteer with dreams of becoming an orthopedic surgeon.

What Happened in the Crash?

At around 5:15 p.m., a 21-year-old man driving west on Covington Garden Drive ignored the stop sign at 30th Street Northeast. His pickup truck struck the passenger side of the car driven by Ringo's mother.

• Date and Time: Dec. 26, 2025, approximately 5:15 p.m.
• Location: Intersection of Covington Garden Drive and 30th Street Northeast, Apollo Beach
• Vehicles Involved: Pickup truck and passenger car
• Injuries: Ringo, 16, fatally injured, and her mother injured
• Suspect: 21-year-old male booked on DUI manslaughter and DUI resulting in injury

Ringo tragically passed away from her injuries at the scene.

A GoFundMe campaign has launched to establish Lexi's Legacy Scholarship, supporting future medical professionals in her honor. Support the scholarship.

The incident is still under active investigation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.

Why Do These Accidents Happen?

Drunk driving remains a leading cause of preventable fatalities on U.S. roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), alcohol-impaired driving led to 12,429 deaths in 2023.

Factors often include failure to obey traffic signs, speeding, and impairment from alcohol or drugs.

Legal Insights

National legal analysts provide perspective on handling such tragic incidents.

“In cases such as this involving impaired driving, criminal charges like DUI manslaughter are common when harm or death results,” said Candice Bond, managing partner at Bond Legal. “Families may also pursue civil claims for compensation, ensuring accountability for reckless behavior.”

• Criminal Charges: Drivers face prosecution for DUI-related offenses, causing injury or death.
• Civil Options: Victims' families can seek damages for medical costs, lost companionship, and emotional distress.
• Investigation Role: Blood-alcohol tests and scene analysis are crucial to establishing fault.
• Advocacy Support: Legal guidance helps navigate rights during investigations and proceedings.

“Wrongful death occurs when negligence, such as driving under the influence, leads to a fatality,” noted Stefano Formica, of counsel with Bond Legal. “Pursuing civil action against the at-fault driver is often the path for families seeking justice.”

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